Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in San Marcos, TX: $33.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in San Marcos, TX runs $33.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,853 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against San Marcos's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,909 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, licensed practical nurse hourly pay reaches a median of $33.58, slightly above the national hourly median of $32.73. This figure is crucial for part-time and per-diem workers who typically find employment in settings like skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, physician office exam rooms, and hospice care. For nurses who work three days a week, the hourly rate translates into approximately $26,000 annually, depending on the total hours worked. Additionally, the hourly wage varies considerably for entry-level positions, starting at around $25.83, while more experienced nurses can earn up to $42.62 in this Texas market, indicating a healthy earning potential for LPNs who choose to work in various healthcare environments.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.83 | $206.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.54 | $244.29 |
| Median (P50) | $33.58 | $268.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.26 | $314.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.62 | $340.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Marcos
Based on $33.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.58/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Marcos, TX can expect to earn approximately $69,848 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,297. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Marcos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Marcos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,343.24 | $5,821 | $69,848 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $805.94 | $3,492 | $41,909 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $537.29 | $2,328 | $27,939 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (San Marcos) | $33.58 |
| 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 Marcos, TX earn a median of $69,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.62% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 10.00% above the Texas state average of $63,503.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.58/hr = $41,909/year (purchasing power: $43,655).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,848/year (purchasing power: $72,759).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Marcos grew 35.6% from $23.42/hr (2019) to $31.77/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.50/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 Marcos 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 Marcos
Licensed practical nurses opting for part-time status in San Marcos will realize different income dynamics compared to their full-time counterparts. A typical 3-day workweek results in annual earnings around $26,000, contrast to full-time LPNs, who can expect to earn significantly more by working 40 hours each week. Moreover, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in San Marcos often ranges anywhere from $28 to $42 an hour, with agency roles at understaffed nursing facilities presenting opportunities to command rates from $45 to $60 per hour. This variability reflects the wide range of employer types, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and even correctional facilities. Experienced LPNs may negotiate higher hourly rates, particularly in settings lacking sufficient staffing, although those accepting lower hourly rates may benefit from included healthcare insurance. Understanding these factors is crucial for LPNs as they navigate their compensation options in San Marcos, TX.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Marcos in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in San Marcos?
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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 Marcos. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for San Marcos is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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