Nurse Practitioner Pay

Houston vs Pharr: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$139,202
$66.92/hr
Pharr, TX
$132,667
$63.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPharr, TX
Median Salary$139,202$132,667
Hourly Rate$66.92$63.79
Entry Level (P10)$100,222$97,486
25th Percentile$120,519$122,183
75th Percentile$148,637$160,568
Top Earner (P90)$164,310$178,970
Total Employed5,97018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($139,202) and Pharr ($132,667) nurse practitioner salaries.HoustonPharrMedian Salary$139,202$132,667Entry Level (P10)$100,222$97,486Top Earner (P90)$164,310$178,970US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Pharr is $6,535 (4.93%). 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,Pharr spans $81,484. Pharr has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$100,222
P25$120,519
Median$139,202
P75$148,637
P90 (Top)$164,310
Pharr
P10 (Entry)$97,486
P25$122,183
Median$132,667
P75$160,568
P90 (Top)$178,970

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($141,137 effective) pays 2.13% more than Pharr ($138,195 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $139,202
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $141,137
Pharr
Nominal: $132,667
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $138,195

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)
  • Larger job market (5,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,137)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Pharr if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($178,970)
  • 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 Pharr over the same period.

Houston, TX

+12.8%

$119,290 (2019) → $134,560 (2025)

Pharr, TX

+3.5%

$123,952 (2024) → $128,243 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Houston or Pharr?

Houston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $139,202/year, compared to Pharr at $132,667/year — a difference of $6,535 (4.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pharr?

Houston nurse practitioners earn $66.92/hr while Pharr hygienists earn $63.79/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pharr. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $141,137, Pharr = $138,195), job availability (5,970 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $100,222 in Houston and $97,486 in Pharr. 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