LPN Salary

Dallas vs The Woodlands: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Dallas, TX and The Woodlands, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$68,039
$32.71/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$66,495
$31.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$68,039$66,495
Hourly Rate$32.71$31.96
Entry Level (P10)$57,004$51,682
25th Percentile$64,646$61,036
75th Percentile$76,241$79,694
Top Earner (P90)$82,044$88,067
Total Employed12,59021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($68,039) and The Woodlands ($66,495) licensed practical nurse salaries.DallasThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$68,039$66,495Entry Level (P10)$57,004$51,682Top Earner (P90)$82,044$88,067US Median $68,071

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to The Woodlands.

The salary gap between Dallas and The Woodlands is $1,544 (2.32%). Dallas's median is -0.05% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $25,040,The Woodlands spans $36,385. The Woodlands has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$57,004
P25$64,646
Median$68,039
P75$76,241
P90 (Top)$82,044
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$51,682
P25$61,036
Median$66,495
P75$79,694
P90 (Top)$88,067

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Woodlands ($69,266 effective) pays 4.95% more than Dallas ($66,000 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $68,039
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $66,000
The Woodlands
Nominal: $66,495
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $69,266

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,039/year)
  • Larger job market (12,590 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Woodlands if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,067)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,266)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Dallas grew 30.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+30.9%

$49,170 (2019) → $64,370 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+17.3%

$53,648 (2024) → $62,909 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Dallas or The Woodlands?

Dallas has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,039/year, compared to The Woodlands at $66,495/year — a difference of $1,544 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Woodlands?

Dallas licensed practical nurses earn $32.71/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $31.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Woodlands as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $66,000, The Woodlands = $69,266), job availability (12,590 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Dallas vs The Woodlands?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $57,004 in Dallas and $51,682 in The Woodlands. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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