LPN Salary

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

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

Houston, TX
$67,299
$32.35/hr
Little Elm, TX
$61,647
$29.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLittle Elm, TX
Median Salary$67,299$61,647
Hourly Rate$32.35$29.64
Entry Level (P10)$54,805$46,812
25th Percentile$63,346$58,952
75th Percentile$76,104$70,634
Top Earner (P90)$82,351$75,320
Total Employed10,73012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($67,299) and Little Elm ($61,647) licensed practical nurse salaries.HoustonLittle ElmMedian Salary$67,299$61,647Entry Level (P10)$54,805$46,812Top Earner (P90)$82,351$75,320US Median $68,071

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Little Elm is $5,652 (9.17%). Houston's median is -1.13% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $27,546,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.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$54,805
P25$63,346
Median$67,299
P75$76,104
P90 (Top)$82,351
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, Houston ($68,234 effective) pays 6.26% more than Little Elm ($64,216 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $67,299
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $68,234
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 Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,299/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,351)
  • Larger job market (10,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,234)
  • 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 Houston grew 32.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Little Elm over the same period.

Houston, TX

+32.4%

$48,090 (2019) → $63,670 (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: Houston or Little Elm?

Houston has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,299/year, compared to Little Elm at $61,647/year — a difference of $5,652 (9.17%).

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

Houston licensed practical nurses earn $32.35/hr while Little Elm hygienists earn $29.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Little Elm. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $68,234, Little Elm = $64,216), job availability (10,730 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,805 in Houston and $46,812 in Little Elm. The Houston 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