Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waco, TX: $65,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waco, TX earns a median $65,608/year (≈ $31.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $70,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Waco is projected to reach a median of $65,608, slightly below the national average of $68,071. This figure reflects a wide range of earnings, with salaries expected to fall between $53,960 at the 10th percentile and $83,048 at the 90th percentile. Collectively derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, this data highlights how shift differentials and weekend premiums in long-term care settings can enhance overall compensation for LPNs in the area. The Waco job market presents various opportunities for practical nursing professionals, with prospects continuing to evolve alongside demand for quality healthcare services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,960 | $25.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,564 | $30.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,608 | $31.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,252 | $34.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,048 | $39.92 |
Median Salary Position
3.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,088 (2026 est.). At $65,608, the local median is 3.62% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waco median: $65,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,512 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.62% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waco, TX earn a median of $65,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.62% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.30% above the Texas state average of $63,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,889 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,420
2025 BLS Actual
$62,070
2026 Current Est.
$65,608
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.7% from $46,420 (2019) to $62,070 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,928 (49.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $53,960 – $62,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,564 – $65,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,608 – $71,252 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,252 – $83,048 |
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 Waco
As of 2026, Waco employs approximately 780 licensed practical nurses, forming a robust labor pool. With a cost of living index of 92.55, LPNs find that their earnings stretch further than in many U.S. cities, providing a favorable financial environment. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages among employers, followed closely by home health agencies and hospitals. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include the setting in which an LPN works—those in skilled nursing facilities often benefit from additional stipends for certifications like IV therapy and earn premiums for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize earnings in Waco, LPNs should consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions in high-paying facilities, and taking advantage of shift differentials to boost their overall take-home pay.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $62,070 for licensed practical nursesin the Waco 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