Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Abilene, TX: $64,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Abilene, TX earns a median $64,424/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Abilene's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Abilene, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $64,424, which is slightly below the national figure of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals extends from $50,017 at the 10th percentile to $75,406 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variances based on experience, specialization, and work environment. This information is derived from data projected based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting that the local market offers competitive pay relative to the Texas state average. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums significantly enhance compensation in long-term care settings, establishing Abilene as a viable option for licensed practical nurses looking to build a solid career within this rewarding field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,017 | $24.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,469 | $27.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,424 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,134 | $32.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,406 | $36.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Abilene
In Abilene, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,389 (2026 est.). At $64,424, the local median is 5.36% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Abilene: You'd be above the median
How Abilene Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Abilene median: $64,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Abilene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,535 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.36% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Abilene, TX earn a median of $64,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $63,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Abilene has a cost of living 9.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Abilene, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.364 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,294 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,540
2025 BLS Actual
$60,950
2026 Current Est.
$64,424
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Abilene metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.3% from $42,540 (2019) to $60,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,556 (60.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Abilene 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,017 – $57,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,469 – $64,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,424 – $68,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,134 – $75,406 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Abilene
The local job market in Abilene supports approximately 510 licensed practical nurses, suggesting a stable demand for healthcare services in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.364, this translates to a favorable purchasing power for LPNs, although salaries remain around 5.36% below the national median. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, followed closely by home health agencies and acute care centers. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors like the nature of the work environment, required certifications such as IV therapy, charge nurse roles, and specific shift premiums in settings like long-term care. For those in Abilene looking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications and being flexible with shift availability can be effective strategies in this market.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Abilene, TX in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Abilene?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Abilene metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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