Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Denton, TX: $63,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Denton, TX earns a median $63,173/year (≈ $30.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $65,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Denton, Texas, the projected licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is estimated at $63,173, reflecting a competitive local market despite being 7.20% below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for these positions extends from $49,005 at the lower end (P10) to $83,213 at the higher end (P90), highlighting the presence of lucrative opportunities within the profession. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The ongoing demand for skilled LPNs in long-term care settings, particularly with shift differentials and weekend premiums, contributes to the overall compensation potential in Denton, making it a noteworthy market for practical nurses seeking stable employment.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,005 | $23.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,723 | $27.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,173 | $30.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,839 | $36.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,213 | $40.01 |
Median Salary Position
7.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,208 (2026 est.). At $63,173, the local median is 7.2% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Denton median: $63,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,554 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -7.20% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Denton, TX earn a median of $63,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.20% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $63,554.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,064
2025 BLS Actual
$59,766
2026 Current Est.
$63,173
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,064 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,432 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,457 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,766 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,774 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,064 (2019) to $59,766 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,774 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,710 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $49,005 – $57,723 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,723 – $63,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,173 – $76,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,839 – $83,213 |
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 Denton
Understanding the employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Denton TX reveals that there are currently 33 LPNs in the area, indicating a localized yet supportive job market. The cost of living index sits at 96, slightly below the national average, which means that LPNs in this region can enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to their salaries. Typically, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers offer the highest wages, driven by the complexity of care and the need for qualified staff. Factors influencing the pay scale include the setting in which LPNs work, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering more than home health agencies or physician offices. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Denton should consider obtaining certifications, particularly in IV therapy, and seeking positions that offer shift differentials, holiday pay, or charge LPN responsibilities, enabling them to capitalize on the various pay structures available in the local healthcare market.
More salary data for Denton, 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 $59,766 for licensed practical nursesin the Denton 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
Salary data for Denton 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