Nurse Practitioner Pay

Houston vs Kingsville: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$139,202
$66.92/hr
Kingsville, TX
$127,945
$61.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKingsville, TX
Median Salary$139,202$127,945
Hourly Rate$66.92$61.51
Entry Level (P10)$100,222$104,150
25th Percentile$120,519$117,185
75th Percentile$148,637$150,129
Top Earner (P90)$164,310$163,509
Total Employed5,9705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($139,202) and Kingsville ($127,945) nurse practitioner salaries.HoustonKingsvilleMedian Salary$139,202$127,945Entry Level (P10)$100,222$104,150Top Earner (P90)$164,310$163,509US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Kingsville is $11,257 (8.80%). 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 Houston spans $64,088,Kingsville spans $59,359. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$100,222
P25$120,519
Median$139,202
P75$148,637
P90 (Top)$164,310
Kingsville
P10 (Entry)$104,150
P25$117,185
Median$127,945
P75$150,129
P90 (Top)$163,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($141,137 effective) pays 5.90% more than Kingsville ($133,276 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $139,202
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $141,137
Kingsville
Nominal: $127,945
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $133,276

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,202/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($164,310)
  • Larger job market (5,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,137)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kingsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Houston grew 12.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in Kingsville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+12.8%

$119,290 (2019) → $134,560 (2025)

Kingsville, TX

+3.5%

$119,540 (2024) → $123,678 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Houston or Kingsville?

Houston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $139,202/year, compared to Kingsville at $127,945/year — a difference of $11,257 (8.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kingsville?

Houston nurse practitioners earn $66.92/hr while Kingsville hygienists earn $61.51/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kingsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $141,137, Kingsville = $133,276), job availability (5,970 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $100,222 in Houston and $104,150 in Kingsville. The Kingsville 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