LPN Salary

Austin vs Little Elm: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Austin, TX and Little Elm, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$68,261
$32.82/hr
Little Elm, TX
$61,647
$29.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXLittle Elm, TX
Median Salary$68,261$61,647
Hourly Rate$32.82$29.64
Entry Level (P10)$54,636$46,812
25th Percentile$62,765$58,952
75th Percentile$77,119$70,634
Top Earner (P90)$82,731$75,320
Total Employed3,62012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($68,261) and Little Elm ($61,647) licensed practical nurse salaries.AustinLittle ElmMedian Salary$68,261$61,647Entry Level (P10)$54,636$46,812Top Earner (P90)$82,731$75,320US Median $68,071

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Elm.

The salary gap between Austin and Little Elm is $6,614 (10.73%). Austin's median is +0.28% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $28,095,Little Elm spans $28,508. Little Elm has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$54,636
P25$62,765
Median$68,261
P75$77,119
P90 (Top)$82,731
Little Elm
P10 (Entry)$46,812
P25$58,952
Median$61,647
P75$70,634
P90 (Top)$75,320

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($69,607 effective) pays 8.40% more than Little Elm ($64,216 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $68,261
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $69,607
Little Elm
Nominal: $61,647
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $64,216

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,261/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,731)
  • Larger job market (3,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,607)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Elm if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Austin grew 31.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Little Elm over the same period.

Austin, TX

+31.0%

$49,310 (2019) → $64,580 (2025)

Little Elm, TX

+11.8%

$52,166 (2024) → $58,323 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Austin or Little Elm?

Austin has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,261/year, compared to Little Elm at $61,647/year — a difference of $6,614 (10.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Little Elm?

Austin licensed practical nurses earn $32.82/hr while Little Elm hygienists earn $29.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Little Elm as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Little Elm. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $69,607, Little Elm = $64,216), job availability (3,620 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Austin vs Little Elm?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,636 in Austin and $46,812 in Little Elm. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov