Nurse Practitioner Pay

Baytown vs Houston: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Baytown, TX
$132,900
$63.89/hr
Houston, TX
$139,202
$66.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$132,900$139,202
Hourly Rate$63.89$66.92
Entry Level (P10)$98,031$100,222
25th Percentile$114,704$120,519
75th Percentile$155,861$148,637
Top Earner (P90)$171,649$164,310
Total Employed165,970
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($132,900) and Houston ($139,202) nurse practitioner salaries.BaytownHoustonMedian Salary$132,900$139,202Entry Level (P10)$98,031$100,222Top Earner (P90)$171,649$164,310US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baytown and Houston is $6,302 (4.74%). Houston's median is +1.71% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $73,618,Houston spans $64,088. Baytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$98,031
P25$114,704
Median$132,900
P75$155,861
P90 (Top)$171,649
Houston
P10 (Entry)$100,222
P25$120,519
Median$139,202
P75$148,637
P90 (Top)$164,310

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($141,137 effective) pays 1.95% more than Baytown ($138,438 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $132,900
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $138,438
Houston
Nominal: $139,202
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $141,137

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,649)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,202/year)
  • Larger job market (5,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,137)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Baytown grew 3.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+3.5%

$124,170 (2024) → $128,468 (2025)

Houston, TX

+12.8%

$119,290 (2019) → $134,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Baytown or Houston?

Houston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $139,202/year, compared to Baytown at $132,900/year — a difference of $6,302 (4.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Houston?

Baytown nurse practitioners earn $63.89/hr while Houston hygienists earn $66.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Houston as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $138,438, Houston = $141,137), job availability (16 vs 5,970 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Baytown vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $98,031 in Baytown and $100,222 in Houston. The Houston 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