LPN Salary

Baytown vs Houston: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Baytown, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baytown, TX
$63,210
$30.39/hr
Houston, TX
$67,299
$32.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$63,210$67,299
Hourly Rate$30.39$32.35
Entry Level (P10)$47,028$54,805
25th Percentile$56,092$63,346
75th Percentile$73,887$76,104
Top Earner (P90)$80,204$82,351
Total Employed1610,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($63,210) and Houston ($67,299) licensed practical nurse salaries.BaytownHoustonMedian Salary$63,210$67,299Entry Level (P10)$47,028$54,805Top Earner (P90)$80,204$82,351US Median $68,071

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and Houston is $4,089 (6.47%). Houston's median is -1.13% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $33,176,Houston spans $27,546. Baytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$47,028
P25$56,092
Median$63,210
P75$73,887
P90 (Top)$80,204
Houston
P10 (Entry)$54,805
P25$63,346
Median$67,299
P75$76,104
P90 (Top)$82,351

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($68,234 effective) pays 3.63% more than Baytown ($65,844 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $63,210
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $65,844
Houston
Nominal: $67,299
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $68,234

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,299/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,351)
  • Larger job market (10,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,234)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Baytown grew 11.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+11.8%

$53,489 (2024) → $59,801 (2025)

Houston, TX

+32.4%

$48,090 (2019) → $63,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Baytown or Houston?

Houston has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,299/year, compared to Baytown at $63,210/year — a difference of $4,089 (6.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Houston?

Baytown licensed practical nurses earn $30.39/hr while Houston hygienists earn $32.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Houston as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $65,844, Houston = $68,234), job availability (16 vs 10,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Baytown vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $47,028 in Baytown and $54,805 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov