Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in College Station, TX: $78,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in College Station, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $78,387/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back College Station's price premium (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $86,186 in average-cost America. The 24% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Senior licensed practical nurses in College Station, Texas, have significant earning potential, with top earners in 2026 projected to make as much as $78,387 annually. This represents a considerable gap when compared to the median salary of $63,441 for licensed practical nurses in the area. For those seeking to reach the upper echelon of the experienced licensed practical nurse salary in College Station, ongoing professional development and specialization are key factors. Pursuing advanced certifications and taking on leadership roles can provide the necessary experience to break into this elite tier, where salaries align more closely with the national average for senior licensed practical nurses, which sits at $68,071.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in College Station earn between $66,580 and $78,387 per year (2026 est.). This $26,700 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The College Station median of $63,441 sits 6.8% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | College Station | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $63,441 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,580 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $78,387 | $88,196 |
In College Station, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 23.56% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in College Station
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $63,441 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by College Station employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in College Station command premium compensation, often reaching the $66,580–$78,387 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the College Station 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 College Station with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive 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 College Station
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCollege Station ranks #62 of 109 Texas cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $78,387).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in College Station ($78,387) is 2.33% below the Texas average P90 ($80,254).
2019 BLS Actual
$60,040
2025 BLS Actual
$74,160
2026 Current Est.
$78,387
2019–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,855 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in College Station saw their compensation grow 23.5% from $60,040 in 2019 to $74,160 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 $82,855 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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 College Station
For senior licensed practical nurses in College Station, certain specializations can significantly influence compensation. Fields such as long-term care, IV therapy, and hospice and palliative care often command higher pay rates. Additionally, the type of employer can contribute to salary variability; skilled nursing facilities typically offer different pay scales compared to hospitals or home health agencies. Advancement pathways also present opportunities for increased earning potential; charge LPN roles and nursing supervisor positions can lead to better compensation. Credentials such as IV therapy certification and involvement in LPN-to-RN bridge programs can enhance a nurse’s marketability and salary. Beyond hourly rates, factors like shift differentials and weekend premiums further elevate the financial rewards for those pursuing a career as a senior licensed practical nurse in TX.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in College Station in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in College Station?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in College Station?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in College Station?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in College Station?
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 $74,160 for licensed practical nurses in the College Station 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
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