Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Harlingen, TX: $60,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Harlingen, TX earns a median $60,514/year (≈ $29.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Harlingen's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $63,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as licensed practical nurses in Harlingen, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $60,514, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $68,071. Salaries in the area range significantly from $46,263 at the 10th percentile to $76,125 at the 90th percentile. Estimates based on 2025 BLS data project that this compensation is influenced not only by the type of healthcare setting—whether skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, or physician offices—but also by the local cost of living adjustments. As Harlingen’s job market fills a niche for stable nursing positions, especially in long-term care, LPNs might find more lucrative opportunities as they position themselves within the most advantageous environments for their skills.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,263 | $22.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,936 | $27.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,514 | $29.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,341 | $33.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,125 | $36.60 |
Median Salary Position
11.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harlingen
In Harlingen, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,862 (2026 est.). At $60,514, the local median is 11.1% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harlingen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harlingen Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Harlingen median: $60,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harlingen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,499 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -11.10% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Harlingen, TX earn a median of $60,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.70% below the Texas state average of $63,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harlingen 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.
Harlingen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $60,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,209
2025 BLS Actual
$57,251
2026 Current Est.
$60,514
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,099 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,964 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harlingen metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $42,209 (2019) to $57,251 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,964 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,755 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harlingen 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) | $46,263 – $56,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,936 – $60,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,514 – $70,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,341 – $76,125 |
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 Harlingen
The local job market currently employs 14 licensed practical nurses, a modest figure reflecting both the demand for these professionals and the city's unique dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 96, LPNs in Harlingen may find that while their salaries are lower than the national average, their purchasing power remains effectively balanced. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, capitalizing on the hiring need for long-term care, while home health positions might present lower salary points. Factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend or holiday premiums can contribute to income variation. Aspiring LPNs in Harlingen should prioritize gaining extensive experience in skilled nursing and consider additional certifications to maximize their earning potential in this market.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Harlingen, TX in 2026?
Is Harlingen, TX a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Harlingen?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Harlingen?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Harlingen?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $57,251 for licensed practical nursesin the Harlingen 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 Harlingen 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