Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Killeen, TX: $67,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Killeen, TX earns a median $67,003/year (≈ $32.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $73,523 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Killeen, Texas, licensed practical nurses are set to earn a median annual salary of $67,003 in 2026, a figure that places them slightly below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $49,880 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $92,953 for those in the top tier (90th percentile). This data reflects projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights how the state's scope-of-practice rules, which include IV therapy and patient assessment, can influence earnings potential. With a strong demand for skilled nursing in the Killeen area, employment opportunities for LPNs appear promising, which is critical as healthcare facilities look to meet the growing needs of the population.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,200 | $29.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,003 | $32.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,953 | $44.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,073 (2026 est.). At $67,003, the local median is 1.57% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Killeen Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Killeen median: $67,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,510 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.57% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Killeen, TX earn a median of $67,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.57% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.50% above the Texas state average of $63,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,523 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,590
2025 BLS Actual
$63,390
2026 Current Est.
$67,003
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,822 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.0% from $45,590 (2019) to $63,390 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,232 (55.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $49,880 – $61,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,200 – $67,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,003 – $77,890 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,890 – $92,953 |
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 Killeen
Looking at the local job market, Killeen employs approximately 1,190 licensed practical nurses, reflecting a robust demand for these critical roles. The cost-of-living index in Killeen is notably favorable at 91.132, indicating that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This can enhance the take-home purchasing power for LPNs. Key employers in the area, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, generally offer the highest compensation packages, particularly for roles that require advanced certifications like IV therapy or that include shift differentials and premium pay for weekend and holiday work. Those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Killeen, TX, should consider gaining additional certifications, especially for specialty areas, or pursuing positions in long-term care settings, which typically have higher pay scales compared to home health or physician offices.
More salary data for Killeen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Killeen, TX in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Killeen?
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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 $63,390 for licensed practical nursesin the Killeen 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