Texas runs some of the highest surgical volumes in the country. The Texas Medical Center alone performs more surgeries than many entire states. For surgical first assistants who want variety, volume, and top pay, Texas is hard to beat. No state income tax makes it even better.
Junxion Med Staffing was built by a traveling surgical tech who knows the difference between agencies that care and agencies that just fill slots. Explore all our Travel Surgical First Assistant opportunities nationwide, check out travel healthcare jobs in Texas, or keep reading for the specifics on Texas contracts.
Why Texas for Travel Surgical First Assistant Jobs?
Texas is an NLC compact state, so if you hold a compact license, you can start your assignment without applying for a separate state license.
Top Facilities and Cities
- Houston: Texas Medical Center facilities Access to the world’s largest medical complex with every surgical specialty
- Dallas: UT Southwestern Academic trauma center with complex surgical cases
- Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Major surgical programs across the DFW metro
- San Antonio: University Health Regional trauma center with high OR volume
Pay and Benefits
Travel Surgical First Assistant contracts in Texas typically fall in a competitive range. Here is what a Junxion package includes:
- Average weekly pay: $2,300-$3,100/week depending on shift, facility, and experience
- Housing stipend: Junxion provides a competitive stipend so you find your own place. Most experienced travelers prefer this for full control. Learn about how stipends work.
- Meals and incidentals: Tax-free M&IE stipend
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Travel reimbursement and completion bonuses on select contracts
- 401(k) with contribution options
Licensing and Credentialing
Texas is a compact state for nursing. SFAs need CST/CSFA certification. Texas may require additional surgical tech registration. Junxion handles all licensing.
CST and CSFA certifications required. Texas surgical tech licensure may also be needed. Junxion handles the credentialing paperwork and stays on top of deadlines so you can focus on your work. Check our compact license guide for nursing details.
What a Typical Assignment Looks Like
As a travel SFA, you’re in the OR assisting surgeons with everything from patient positioning and retraction to suturing and hemostasis. Your cases depend on the surgical specialty — could be ortho one day, general surgery the next, or a focused cardiothoracic service. Shifts vary by OR schedule, but 10-hour days are common, and you’ll likely have call responsibilities. Contracts run 13 weeks typically. Orientation covers their specific protocols, preference cards, and supply systems. The work is hands-on, physically demanding, and deeply rewarding if you thrive in the surgical environment.
How Texas Stacks Up for Travel Surgical First Assistant Travelers
Picking your next assignment isn’t just about the facility — where you live for 13 weeks matters too. Texas delivers on multiple fronts. Outdoor options range from Big Bend hiking to Gulf Coast beaches, and winters are mild enough to enjoy them year-round. You keep more of your paycheck since Texas doesn’t charge state income tax. The healthcare market here is massive — Houston alone has the largest medical center complex on the planet. Tex-Mex on every corner, live music scenes in Austin and San Antonio, and enough BBQ to fuel a 13-week contract twice over.
Getting Started with Junxion
The Junxion process starts with a conversation. Tell your recruiter what matters to you — location, pay, schedule, facility type — and they’ll find contracts that actually match. They handle credentialing and compliance so you can focus on your current assignment or wrap up your last one. Every pay package comes with a clear breakdown: hourly rate, stipends, benefits, no hidden math. Your recruiter is your single point of contact from application through the last day of your contract. That’s how it should work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What housing options are available for Travel Surgical First Assistant travelers in Texas?
Most travelers take the housing stipend and find their own place — it gives you more control over where you live and often lets you pocket the difference if you find a good deal. Junxion provides competitive stipends based on GSA rates for your assignment location. If you’d rather not apartment-hunt, agency-provided housing is available on select contracts. Your recruiter can walk you through both options and help you figure out what makes the most financial sense for your specific assignment.
Can I extend my Texas Travel Surgical First Assistant contract?
Extensions are super common — if the facility likes your work and the need is still there, most are happy to keep you. Typical extensions run another 13 weeks, sometimes shorter depending on the facility’s needs. Your Junxion recruiter starts the extension conversation a few weeks before your contract ends so there’s no gap. Pay can sometimes be renegotiated on extensions too, especially if market rates have shifted. It’s one of the perks of travel — you can stay somewhere you love without committing permanently.
How much do Travel Surgical First Assistant professionals make in Texas?
Weekly pay for Travel Surgical First Assistant roles in Texas ranges from $2,300-$3,100/week depending on facility, shift differential, and experience. Night and weekend shifts typically pay more. See full pay breakdown.
How quickly can I start a Texas assignment?
With a compact license and current credentials, many travelers start within 2-3 weeks. Non-compact holders should plan 4-8 weeks for licensing.
Does Junxion handle credentialing?
Yes. Junxion manages your licensing, certifications, and facility-specific credentialing. Your recruiter coordinates everything so you are ready to start on day one.
Ready to take a Travel Surgical First Assistant assignment in Texas? Contact Junxion and let us find the right contract for you.
Explore More
- Browse open SFA travel jobs
- Explore all travel healthcare jobs in this state
- See all the states where Junxion places travelers
- How travel nurse stipends work
What to Know Before You Go
Bring your own instrument set if you have one — some facilities provide everything, but others expect SFAs to have their own retractors and suturing tools. Ask about the surgical specialties you’ll cover most often, since orthopedic cases require different prep than cardiac or general surgery. Review the facility’s surgical timeout and specimen handling protocols during orientation.
If you’re driving to your assignment, factor in the distances — Texas is massive, and commuting between cities can eat into your day. Research neighborhoods near your facility, since housing costs and safety vary a lot between areas. Look into short-term furnished apartments or extended-stay options that work with travel healthcare schedules.
What certifications do I need for a Travel Surgical First Assistant assignment in Texas?
Requirements vary by facility, but you’ll generally need your core specialty certification, BLS, and any state-specific licenses. Junxion’s credentialing team reviews every requirement before you accept a contract and handles the paperwork so nothing falls through the cracks.
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