Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $66.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Houston, TX runs $66.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,518 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the nurse practitioner hourly pay stands at $66.92, surpassing the national median of $65.80 for 2026. This competitive rate is significant for those considering part-time work at around three days a week, where earnings can translate into a consistent income despite reduced hours. The hourly range in the city varies widely, with entry-level practitioners earning approximately $48.19 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $78.99, depending on their settings such as primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care, and telehealth services. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the demand for nurse practitioners in a city with a growing healthcare sector.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.19 | $385.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.94 | $463.54 |
| Median (P50) | $66.92 | $535.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.46 | $571.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.99 | $631.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $66.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.92/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $139,197 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,306. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,676.87 | $11,600 | $139,197 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,606.12 | $6,960 | $83,518 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,070.75 | $4,640 | $55,679 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Houston) | $66.92 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Houston, TX earn a median of $139,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 4.20% above the Texas state average of $133,591.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.92/hr = $83,518/year (purchasing power: $84,679).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,197/year (purchasing power: $141,132).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Houston grew 12.8% from $57.35/hr (2019) to $64.69/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Houston
For nurse practitioners working part-time, earning the median hourly rate of $66.92 translates into about $83,000 annually, a solid income compared to many other professions, albeit significantly less than the potential earnings of full-time colleagues. Per diem nurse practitioner pay in Houston varies widely, particularly for those taking on locum tenens roles who can bill anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour depending on their specialty. In contrast, telehealth psychiatric nurse practitioners frequently command rates of $150 to $200 per hour for asynchronous medication management. Hourly rates can differ greatly across employer types; those in hospital outpatient clinics and primary care settings may earn less than their counterparts in specialty clinics or telehealth platforms, where agencies may offer more lucrative arrangements but less job security. Given these dynamics, nurse practitioners often need to weigh the benefits of health insurance against the higher hourly pay options available, especially when considering negotiation tactics tailored for Houston's job market.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Houston in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Houston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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