Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Dallas, TX: $68,039 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Dallas, TX earns a median $68,039/year (≈ $32.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Dallas's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.1), that paycheck buys what $66,000 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Dallas, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,039, closely aligning with the national median of $68,071. The local salary range for LPNs spans from $57,004 at the 10th percentile to $82,044 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations in experience, work setting, and additional certifications. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the potential earnings within the city’s healthcare system, particularly when considering shift differentials and weekend premiums that can significantly enhance compensation in long-term care environments. As Dallas's healthcare job market continues to expand, the demand for skilled nursing services positions LPNs favorably within the local economy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,004 | $27.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,646 | $31.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,039 | $32.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,241 | $36.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,044 | $39.45 |
Median Salary Position
0.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dallas
In Dallas, TX, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,040 (2026 est.). At $68,039, the local median is 0.05% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dallas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dallas Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Dallas median: $68,039/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dallas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $63,529 | +7.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.05% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dallas, TX earn a median of $68,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.10% above the Texas state average of $63,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dallas has a cost of living 3.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dallas, TX has a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,039 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,000 — a 3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,170
2025 BLS Actual
$64,370
2026 Current Est.
$68,039
2019–2027 Growth
+46.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,039 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dallas metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 30.9% from $49,170 (2019) to $64,370 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,747 (46.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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) | $57,004 – $64,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,646 – $68,039 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,039 – $76,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,241 – $82,044 |
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 Dallas
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Dallas is robust, with approximately 12,590 LPNs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Dallas stands at 103.09, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, they must be evaluated against local living expenses to determine actual purchasing power. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay compared to sectors like home health agencies and physician offices. Factors such as certification in IV therapy, charge LPN roles, and shift differentials contribute to the variance in pay scales across the industry. To maximize earning potential, LPNs in Dallas should seek out positions in skilled nursing, pursue extra certifications, and consider shifts that offer enhanced pay incentives, particularly in long-term care settings, which are essential for job stability and career advancement.
More salary data for Dallas, 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 $64,370 for licensed practical nursesin the Dallas 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