Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $32.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Houston, TX runs $32.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,379 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, licensed practical nurses are projected to earn a median hourly wage of $32.35 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate reflects the value that LPNs bring to various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health, physician offices, and hospice care. For part-time employees working three days a week, this equates to approximately $1,025 weekly, significantly influencing their total earnings depending on hours worked. Entry-level LPNs can expect to earn around $26.35 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale may see rates up to $39.60. The information discussed derives from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, shedding light on the competitive landscape for licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Houston.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.35 | $210.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.45 | $243.62 |
| Median (P50) | $32.35 | $258.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.59 | $292.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.60 | $316.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $32.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.35/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $67,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,826. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,294.19 | $5,608 | $67,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.51 | $3,365 | $40,379 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.68 | $2,243 | $26,919 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Houston) | $32.35 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Houston, TX earn a median of $67,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.13% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.90% above the Texas state average of $63,550.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.35/hr = $40,379/year (purchasing power: $40,940).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,298/year (purchasing power: $68,233).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Houston grew 32.4% from $23.12/hr (2019) to $30.61/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.20/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Houston
Evaluating the potential earnings for LPNs illustrates a nuanced picture of compensation. A part-time licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week could bring home about $53,687 annually, while those working full-time can achieve higher earnings, directly impacted by the varying hourly pay structures at different types of employers. Per diem licensed practical nurses in Houston typically earn between $28 and $42 an hour, with agency LPNs sometimes making $45 to $60, particularly when filling gaps in understaffed facilities. Although travel contracts are less typical, they can also provide opportunities for attractive compensation. Furthermore, workplace benefits often present a trade-off; some LPNs may accept reduced hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits, highlighting the need for strategic negotiations based on personal circumstances. Understanding these dynamics can help licensed practical nurses in Texas navigate their options more effectively.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Houston in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Houston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov