Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $63,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $63,349/year (≈ $30.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $65,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse in Port Arthur, Texas, is $63,349. This figure represents a competitive entry point for those in the profession, with salaries ranging from $48,949 at the 10th percentile to $80,340 at the 90th percentile. The estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a local market that supports diverse compensatory strategies, including shift differentials and weekend premiums that can enhance effective long-term care compensation. As employers in the area seek to attract qualified LPNs, those willing to work in less desirable shifts or settings may find opportunities for higher earnings.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,949 | $23.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,578 | $27.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,349 | $30.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,026 | $35.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,340 | $38.62 |
Median Salary Position
6.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,391 (2026 est.). At $63,349, the local median is 6.94% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $63,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,540 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.94% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $63,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.94% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $63,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,187
2025 BLS Actual
$59,933
2026 Current Est.
$63,349
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,187 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,831 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,587 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,960 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,187 (2019) to $59,933 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,960 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,773 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $48,949 – $57,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,578 – $63,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,349 – $74,026 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,026 – $80,340 |
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 Port Arthur
With only 12 licensed practical nurses employed in Port Arthur, the local job market offers a tight-knit community with limited competition. The cost of living index in Port Arthur stands at 96, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which may improve the purchasing power of LPNs despite a salary that is slightly lower than the national median of $68,071. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to provide the most competitive pay, particularly for LPNs with specialized certifications like IV therapy. Factors contributing to the disparity in wages include the setting of employment—skilled nursing typically pays more than home health agencies or physician offices—and additional incentives such as weekend and holiday shifts. For LPNs aiming to maximize their pay in Port Arthur, focusing on securing positions in skilled nursing or pursuing extra certifications can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $59,933 for licensed practical nursesin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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