Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Carrollton, TX: $87,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Carrollton, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $87,028/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Carrollton's price premium (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $90,654 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary landscape for experienced licensed practical nurses in Carrollton, TX, showcases significant earning potential. Senior professionals aiming for top-tier pay can expect to reach as high as $87,028, offering a stark contrast to the median salary of $64,308 in the region. This experience premium reflects the importance of specialization and advanced skills in commanding better compensation. The gap between the median and top earners emphasizes the value of pursuing relevant certifications and building a robust clinical background, factors crucial for advancing to the upper echelons of the salary scale in a competitive environment like Carrollton.
About the Carrollton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrollton
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Carrollton earn between $75,701 and $87,028 per year (2026 est.). This $40,403 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Carrollton median of $64,308 sits 5.53% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Carrollton | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,308 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,701 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $87,028 | $88,196 |
In Carrollton, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 35.33% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Carrollton
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $64,308 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Carrollton employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Carrollton command premium compensation, often reaching the $75,701–$87,028 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Carrollton metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Carrollton with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Texas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Carrollton
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCarrollton ranks #11 of 109 Texas cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $87,028).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Carrollton ($87,028) is 8.44% above the Texas average P90 ($80,254).
2019 BLS Actual
$62,521
2025 BLS Actual
$82,335
2026 Current Est.
$87,028
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Carrollton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,521 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,945 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,839 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,411 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,989 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Carrollton saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $62,521 in 2019 to $82,335 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $91,989 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrollton 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Carrollton
An analysis of senior licensed practical nurse pay in Carrollton highlights various pathways to boost earnings. Specializations such as long-term care, IV therapy certification, and hospice care are particularly lucrative, often leading to positions in nursing facilities or hospitals where compensation tends to be more competitive. Employer type also plays a pivotal role; skilled nursing facilities may offer higher wages compared to home health agencies or physician offices. For those aiming for leadership roles, opportunities abound in positions like charge LPN or MDS coordinator, enhancing both responsibility and pay. Advanced credentials, including an active LPN/LVN license and optional certifications, provide significant leverage in this market. Additionally, compensation can be affected by factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums, creating further incentive for experienced professionals to pursue opportunities that align with their career goals.
More salary data for Carrollton, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Carrollton in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Carrollton?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Carrollton?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Carrollton?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Carrollton?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Texas
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $82,335 for licensed practical nurses in the Carrollton metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carrollton 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