Nurse Practitioner Pay

Austin vs Little Elm: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$132,468
$63.68/hr
Little Elm, TX
$129,614
$62.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXLittle Elm, TX
Median Salary$132,468$129,614
Hourly Rate$63.68$62.32
Entry Level (P10)$118,388$97,572
25th Percentile$129,044$120,748
75th Percentile$155,537$148,998
Top Earner (P90)$172,234$161,215
Total Employed2,70012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($132,468) and Little Elm ($129,614) nurse practitioner salaries.AustinLittle ElmMedian Salary$132,468$129,614Entry Level (P10)$118,388$97,572Top Earner (P90)$172,234$161,215US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Little Elm is $2,854 (2.20%). Austin's median is -3.21% 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,Little Elm spans $63,643. Little Elm 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
Little Elm
P10 (Entry)$97,572
P25$120,748
Median$129,614
P75$148,998
P90 (Top)$161,215

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($135,080 effective) pays 0.05% more than Little Elm ($135,015 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $132,468
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $135,080
Little Elm
Nominal: $129,614
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $135,015

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,468/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,234)
  • Larger job market (2,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,080)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Elm if…

  • 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 Little Elm over the same period.

Austin, TX

+17.1%

$109,390 (2019) → $128,050 (2025)

Little Elm, TX

+3.5%

$121,100 (2024) → $125,291 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Austin or Little Elm?

Austin has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $132,468/year, compared to Little Elm at $129,614/year — a difference of $2,854 (2.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Little Elm?

Austin nurse practitioners earn $63.68/hr while Little Elm hygienists earn $62.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Little Elm as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Little Elm. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $135,080, Little Elm = $135,015), job availability (2,700 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $118,388 in Austin and $97,572 in Little Elm. 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