Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $31.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in San Antonio, TX runs $31.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,495 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $31.65, slightly lower than the national median of $32.73. This rate is particularly relevant for part-time and per diem workers, who often occupy vital roles in various healthcare settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, physician offices, and hospices. For those working on a part-time schedule of three days a week, this hourly wage translates to a stable income, while per-diem LPNs typically see hourly rates ranging from $25.57 at the entry-level to $39.31 at the top earning bracket, based on official BLS data. It reflects both the demand for nursing professionals in the area and the diverse responsibilities they manage day-to-day.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.57 | $204.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.51 | $236.09 |
| Median (P50) | $31.65 | $253.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.84 | $278.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.31 | $314.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $31.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.65/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $65,825 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,976. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,265.86 | $5,485 | $65,825 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.52 | $3,291 | $39,495 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.35 | $2,194 | $26,330 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (San Antonio) | $31.65 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $65,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.60% above the Texas state average of $63,542.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.65/hr = $39,495/year (purchasing power: $41,698).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,825/year (purchasing power: $69,497).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Antonio grew 36.6% from $21.91/hr (2019) to $29.94/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.45/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
In terms of part-time earning potential, licensed practical nurses in San Antonio who work three days a week could take home approximately $39,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still offering a decent income. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in San Antonio varies considerably, with workers charging between $28 to $42 per hour, while agency nurses at understaffed facilities may command as much as $45 to $60 per hour. In local employer contexts, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of facility, with skilled nursing and long-term care positions typically offering lower wages compared to hospitals or high-demand specialties. Nurses face a decision-making challenge regarding benefits – often, lower hourly rates come with health insurance, while higher pay opportunities lack such packages. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market can provide leverage, as can demonstrating experience or specialized skills. Awareness of industry standards and current trends can empower San Antonio LPNs to maximize their hourly earnings effectively.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 San Antonio. 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