Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in The Woodlands, TX: $66,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in The Woodlands, TX earns a median $66,495/year (≈ $31.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in The Woodlands's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $69,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In The Woodlands, TX, licensed practical nurse salaries are projected to reach a median annual income of $66,495 by 2026, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $51,682, while experienced professionals can command as much as $88,067. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlight the local value of LPN roles, particularly considering Texas's scope-of-practice rules, which enable LPNs to perform IV therapy and assessments. This expanded scope may influence compensation dynamics in The Woodlands, making it an enticing option for those in the nursing profession.
About the The Woodlands Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,682 | $24.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,036 | $29.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,495 | $31.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,694 | $38.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,067 | $42.34 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,385 (2026 est.). At $66,495, the local median is 2.32% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Woodlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Woodlands Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
The Woodlands median: $66,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Woodlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,510 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.32% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $66,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.70% above the Texas state average of $63,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Woodlands 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.
The Woodlands, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,266 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,381
2025 BLS Actual
$62,909
2026 Current Est.
$66,495
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,381 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,909 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,285 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Woodlands metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,381 (2019) to $62,909 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,285 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,904 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Woodlands 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) | $51,682 – $61,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,036 – $66,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,495 – $79,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,694 – $88,067 |
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 The Woodlands
With only 21 licensed practical nurses employed in The Woodlands, the job market remains focused. The cost of living index in the area is slightly below the national average at 96, which can enhance the purchasing power for LPNs, even with salaries that are marginally lower than the national figures. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to pay the highest wages, reflecting the increased demand for LPNs in long-term care settings. Factors such as shift differentials, additional stipends for IV therapy certifications, and weekend or holiday premiums contribute to the substantial variations in pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Woodlands market, positioning as a critical nursing staff member in skilled nursing facilities and pursuing certifications that enhance qualifications can be effective strategies. These pathways not only elevate the potential for income but also carve out opportunities for future advancement in nursing careers.
More salary data for The Woodlands, 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 $62,909 for licensed practical nursesin the The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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