Nurse Practitioner Pay

Austin vs Carrollton: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Austin, TX and Carrollton, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$132,468
$63.68/hr
Carrollton, TX
$135,207
$65.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXCarrollton, TX
Median Salary$132,468$135,207
Hourly Rate$63.68$65.01
Entry Level (P10)$118,388$97,184
25th Percentile$129,044$123,128
75th Percentile$155,537$159,685
Top Earner (P90)$172,234$186,110
Total Employed2,70020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($132,468) and Carrollton ($135,207) nurse practitioner salaries.AustinCarrolltonMedian Salary$132,468$135,207Entry Level (P10)$118,388$97,184Top Earner (P90)$172,234$186,110US Median $136,864

Verdict

Carrollton, TX offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austin.

The salary gap between Austin and Carrollton is $2,739 (2.07%). Carrollton's median is -1.21% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $53,846,Carrollton spans $88,926. Carrollton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$118,388
P25$129,044
Median$132,468
P75$155,537
P90 (Top)$172,234
Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$97,184
P25$123,128
Median$135,207
P75$159,685
P90 (Top)$186,110

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carrollton ($140,841 effective) pays 4.26% more than Austin ($135,080 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $132,468
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $135,080
Carrollton
Nominal: $135,207
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $140,841

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Larger job market (2,700 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,207/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,110)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,841)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Austin grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in Carrollton over the same period.

Austin, TX

+17.1%

$109,390 (2019) → $128,050 (2025)

Carrollton, TX

+3.5%

$126,325 (2024) → $130,698 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Austin or Carrollton?

Carrollton has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $135,207/year, compared to Austin at $132,468/year — a difference of $2,739 (2.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Carrollton?

Austin nurse practitioners earn $63.68/hr while Carrollton hygienists earn $65.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Carrollton as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Carrollton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $135,080, Carrollton = $140,841), job availability (2,700 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Austin vs Carrollton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $118,388 in Austin and $97,184 in Carrollton. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% 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 Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov