LPN Salary in Texas (2026)
Average annual salary: $46K ($46,000/year)
Top-paying cities in Texas:
- Houston $48,000/year
- Dallas $47,000/year
- Night/weekend shifts: 10-20% premium pay
- Experienced LPNs (5+ years): +$5,000-$8,000 above entry level
Compare to national average: $48,000/year
Salary data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor (2026)
Accredited LPN Programs in Texas
Texas has 30+ state board-approved LPN programs across community colleges, technical schools, and private institutions.
Program Types & Costs:
- Community Colleges: $3,000-$8,000 tuition (most affordable option)
- Technical Schools: $8,000-$15,000 tuition (average duration 12-15 months)
- Private Institutions: $12,000-$18,000 tuition (may offer accelerated tracks)
- Hybrid Online Programs: Available at select schools (60-70% online + in-person clinicals)
⚠️ Important: ONLY attend programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. Graduates from unapproved programs cannot take the NCLEX-PN exam or become licensed.
Find official approved programs: Visit the Texas Board of Nursing website for the current list of accredited LPN programs in your area.
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Texas LPN Licensure Requirements
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Texas, you must:
- ✅ Age: Be at least 18 years old
- ✅ Education: Have a high school diploma or GED
- ✅ Training: Graduate from a Texas-approved LPN program (minimum 1,400-1,500 hours)
- ✅ Exam: Pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses)
- ✅ Background: Criminal background check (FBI + state)
- ✅ Health: Immunizations (MMR, Tdap, Hep B, TB test) and physical exam
- ✅ Fee: Application fee $100-$200 (varies by state)
Timeline to Licensure:
Graduate from program → Take NCLEX-PN (2-4 weeks) → Pass exam → State issues license (2-4 weeks) → Start working as LPN
Total time from graduation to first paycheck: 6-8 weeks
Program Duration & Format Options in Texas
Texas LPN programs offer flexible scheduling to fit different life situations:
1. Full-Time Accelerated (11-12 months)
- Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm (40 hours/week)
- Best for: Recent high school graduates, career changers with savings
- Challenge: Difficult to work during training
- Benefit: Fastest path to licensure
2. Hybrid Online (12-15 months)
- Format: 60-70% online coursework + 30-40% in-person clinicals
- Schedule: Watch lectures at night, campus 2-3 days/week for clinicals
- Best for: Working parents, LPN moms, part-time workers
- Benefit: Flexibility to keep current job while training
3. Part-Time Evening/Weekend (18-24 months)
- Schedule: Evenings (6-9pm) and/or weekends
- Pace: 20-25 hours/week total commitment
- Best for: Single parents, primary income earners
- Benefit: Maintain full-time job and income during training
All formats lead to the same LPN license. Choose based on your childcare, work schedule, and financial situation.
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Complete Cost Breakdown for Texas LPN Programs
Tuition Costs:
- Community Colleges: $3,000-$8,000 total program
- Technical Schools: $8,000-$15,000 total program
- Private Schools: $12,000-$18,000 total program
Additional Costs:
- Books & study materials: $500-$800
- Uniforms, shoes, stethoscope: $150-$250
- Background check & drug screening: $100-$150
- Immunizations & physical exam: $200-$400
- NCLEX-PN exam fee: $200
- State licensure application: $100-$200
Total First-Year Cost: $4,000-$20,000 depending on school type
Financial Aid Options:
- Federal Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year (free money for low-income students)
- Federal Student Loans: 0% interest while in school
- Scholarships: Nursing organizations, local hospitals, community foundations
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Work as CNA, get $2,000-$5,000/year toward LPN school
- State Grants: Check Texas higher education agency for state-specific aid
ROI: With $46K average LPN salary in Texas, most graduates recoup training costs within 4-8 months of working full-time.
LPN Career Outlook in Texas
Texas offers strong career prospects for Licensed Practical Nurses:
- Average Salary: $46K/year in Texas (vs $48,000 national avg)
- Job Growth: 6% projected growth (2024-2034) — faster than average
- Work Settings: Nursing homes (65%), hospitals (15%), home health (10%), physician offices (10%)
- Shift Options: Day, evening, night, weekend shifts available
- Benefits: Most full-time positions offer health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off
Career Advancement:
Many Texas LPNs advance their careers through:
- LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs: 12-18 months → RN license ($75,000+ salary)
- Specialty Certifications: IV therapy, gerontology, pharmacology
- Leadership Roles: Charge nurse, clinic manager positions
- Travel LPN: Higher pay ($55,000-$65,000) + housing stipends
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Workforce Data (2026)
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