Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Austin, TX: $68,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Austin, TX earns a median $68,261/year (≈ $32.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $69,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Austin, Texas, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $68,261, surpassing the national median of $68,071 by a slight margin. The salary range for LPNs in this region extends from $54,636 at the 10th percentile to $82,731 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the job market. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that Austin’s healthcare sector remains robust, offering various incentives such as shift differentials and weekend premiums that enhance overall compensation. These factors contribute to making the licensed practical nurse salary in Austin an attractive option for those considering a career in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,636 | $26.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,765 | $30.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,261 | $32.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,119 | $37.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,731 | $39.77 |
Median Salary Position
0.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,095 (2026 est.). At $68,261, the local median is 0.28% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Austin median: $68,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,558 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.28% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Austin, TX earn a median of $68,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.28% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 7.40% above the Texas state average of $63,558.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,261 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,310
2025 BLS Actual
$64,580
2026 Current Est.
$68,261
2019–2027 Growth
+46.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,152 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 31.0% from $49,310 (2019) to $64,580 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,152 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,842 (46.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $54,636 – $62,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,765 – $68,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,261 – $77,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,119 – $82,731 |
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 Austin
With approximately 3,620 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Austin, the job market is favorable for aspiring healthcare professionals. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 98.066, which is slightly below the national average, allowing nurses to enjoy relatively strong purchasing power despite local expenses. Among the prominent employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings tend to offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies or physician offices. The variation in licensed practical nurse pay in Austin, TX, arises from different work environments, where settings that provide specialized care or offer shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and holiday premiums may boost earning potential significantly. For those looking to maximize their pay, pursuing certifications that align with high-demand skills and considering positions in long-term care or hospitals will likely enhance career trajectories.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $64,580 for licensed practical nursesin the Austin 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