The Complete Career Guide for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Arlington, TX

Hey there. If you're an LPN considering a move to Arlington, you’re looking at a solid market with a manageable cost of living. I’ve broken down the real numbers, the commute, the employers, and the long-term math. Let’s get to work.

The Salary Picture: Where Arlington Stands

First, the numbers you need. The median salary for an LPN in Arlington is $55,160/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.52. That’s slightly above the national average of $54,620, which is a good sign for a city with Arlington's cost of living. The metro area reports 796 active LPN jobs with a projected 10-year job growth of 5%. That growth is steady, not explosive, which means the market is established and reliable.

Here’s how experience typically translates to pay in the DFW area:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Key Factors
Entry-Level	$48,000 - $52,000	New graduates, less than 1 year of experience. Often start in long-term care (LTC) or home health.
Mid-Career	$55,160 (Median)	2-9 years of experience. This is the standard for most staff LPNs in hospitals and clinics.
Senior/Expert	$60,000 - $68,000+	10+ years, specialized skills (e.g., IV certified, wound care, dialysis). LPNs in supervisory roles hit these range.

Arlington's market is competitive with other major Texas metros. While Dallas and Fort Worth have higher nominal salaries, their cost of living is also significantly higher. Houston and San Antonio are closer to Arlington's salary benchmarks, but Arlington offers a unique balance of proximity to big-city resources without the downtown core congestion.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many Arlington employers offer shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends that can add $2.00 to $4.00 per hour to your take-home. This is a major factor in your total compensation.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's do the math. You're earning the median $55,160/year. After federal taxes, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), and Texas state tax (which is 0%—a huge plus), your monthly take-home pay is approximately $3,450.

Now, let's layer in Arlington's average 1BR rent of $1,384/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median LPN Salary):

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$3,450	After taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$1,384	Average across the city.
Utilities	$150 - $200	Electricity can be high in Texas summers.
Groceries	$300 - $400
Transportation	$250 - $350	Car payment, insurance, gas. Public transit exists but a car is recommended.
Health Insurance	$150 - $250	Varies by employer.
Misc/Debt	$300 - $500	Student loans, phone, entertainment.
Remaining	$216 - $916	This is your savings and "life" money.

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is the tougher question. The median home price in Arlington is around $300,000. With a 10% down payment ($30,000), a 30-year mortgage at today's rates, your monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $2,000 - $2,200. That’s over half of your take-home pay, which is not financially advisable. Buying a home on a single median LPN salary is not feasible. It becomes possible with a dual-income household, significant savings for a larger down payment, or by targeting a condo/townhome in the $180k - $220k range.

Cost of Living Context: Arlington's Cost of Living Index is 103.3 (US avg = 100). It's slightly more expensive than average, driven by housing and utilities, but well below cities like Austin (130+) or Dallas (108). This makes it a reasonable choice for a healthcare professional.

Where the Jobs Are: Arlington's Major Employers

Arlington is part of the massive DFW healthcare ecosystem. You're not limited to Arlington proper; the entire metroplex is your oyster, with commutes of 15-45 minutes being common.

1. Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital: A cornerstone employer in the heart of Arlington. They hire LPNs for med-surg, orthopedics, and sometimes ICU as techs. They are part of the massive Texas Health Resources system, offering internal mobility.
2. USMD Hospital at Arlington: A private, for-profit hospital known for its specialty in bariatrics and orthopedics. They often have a need for LPNs in pre/post-op and surgical floors. Hiring trends here are directly tied to surgical volume.
3. Methodist Family Health: Located in nearby Arlington, this is a system focused on primary and specialty care. Clinics and outpatient centers are a huge source of LPN jobs, offering regular M-F hours—great for work-life balance.
4. Medical City Arlington: Another major hospital on the I-20 corridor. As part of the HCA Healthcare network, they have a constant flow of LPNs. They are a Level II Trauma center, which means fast-paced environments and diverse experiences.
5. Arlington Memory Care and Assisted Living: This is a significant sector in Arlington. Facilities like The Wellington at Arlington, The Blake at Arlington, and others are always hiring LPNs for medication administration, wound care, and supervising CNAs. This is a common entry point for new grads.
6. Arlington Public Health Department: A smaller but stable employer for LPNs in community health, immunization clinics, and school health programs. These positions are highly coveted for their regular hours and benefits.
7. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Visiting Nurse Association of Texas and AccentCare have a strong presence in the DFW area. They hire LPNs for skilled visits. This offers independence but requires a reliable car and strong time management.

Hiring Trend: Post-pandemic, there's a slight cooling in the frantic hiring of 2021-2022, but demand remains steady. Specialties like wound care, dialysis, and home health have higher demand. Many hospitals are also using agency/travel LPNs for fill-ins, which can be a lucrative per-diem option.

Getting Licensed in TX

To practice as an LPN in Texas, you need a license from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). If you're coming from another state, you'll likely apply for licensure by endorsement.

Process & Costs:

1. NCLEX-PN Exam: You must pass this. The application fee is $200 (paid to Pearson VUE).
2. Texas BON Application Fee: $100 (one-time fee for licensure).
3. Fingerprinting: ~$38.25 for background check.
4. Total Estimated Cost: $338.25 (excluding cost of nursing school).

Timeline to Get Started:

• Already Licensed in Another State (Compact State): If you hold a multistate license from a compact state (like Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Florida), you can practice in Texas immediately. You still need to apply for a Texas license if you establish residency, but you can start working. Timeline: 2-4 weeks to update your primary state of residence.
• Already Licensed in a Non-Compact State: Apply for endorsement. You'll need verification from your original state board. Processing times vary but expect 4-8 weeks.
• New Graduate in Texas: You can apply for a temporary permit to work while waiting for your NCLEX. This is a common path for Texas nursing school grads.

Insider Tip: Texas has a major shortage of nurses in rural areas. While Arlington isn't rural, some employers in the region offer tuition reimbursement or sign-on bonuses specifically to attract nurses, which can help offset initial costs.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPNs)

Where you live affects your commute and budget. Here’s a breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It Works for an LPN
Central Arlington (U of TX Arlington area)	Urban, walkable, close to major hospitals (Texas Health, Methodist). I-20 & I-30 access.	$1,250 - $1,400	Minimal commute to hospitals. Older buildings, but great value. Good public transit options.
South Arlington (Mansfield Rd corridor)	Suburban, family-oriented. 15-20 min drive to most hospitals.	$1,300 - $1,500	Newer apartment complexes, easy access to I-20 for Medical City Arlington. Quiet, safe.
North Arlington (Colleyville/Bedford area)	Established suburbs, more expensive. 20-30 min commute.	$1,500 - $1,700	Excellent schools and amenities. May be over budget for median salary, but popular for seasoned LPNs with families.
East Arlington (Arlington Highlands area)	Mixed-use, shopping, entertainment. Near AT&T Stadium & Globe Life Field.	$1,350 - $1,550	Fun area, but can be congested. Good access to Fort Worth via I-30.
Fort Worth Medical District (10-15 min drive)	Professional, dense medical hub.	$1,200 - $1,450	Living in Fort Worth but working in Arlington is a reverse commute. You're in the heart of another major medical hub.

Neighborhood Insight: For a new LPN, Central Arlington offers the best balance of rent and commute. As you advance, you might move to South or North Arlington for more space. Don't ignore the reverse commute from Fort Worth if you have a job at Medical City Arlington or Texas Health Arlington Memorial.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The LPN role in Texas is respected but has a defined ceiling. Your growth is in specialization and leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: The highest-paid LPNs are in dialysis, wound care/ostomy (WOCN), and home health/IV certified roles. Adding an IV certification can boost your pay by $2-$3/hour immediately. Wound care certification can lead to specialist roles in clinics or wound care centers.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. LPN Charge Nurse: In LTC or some outpatient settings, you can supervise other LPNs and CNAs. Requires experience and strong leadership.
  2. IV Therapy Technician: Specializing in home health or infusion centers. Requires certification.
  3. Transition to RN: This is the most common growth path. Many Arlington hospitals (like Texas Health) offer tuition reimbursement programs to help LPNs bridge to an ADN or BSN. The DFW area has numerous ADN programs (TCC, Brookhaven College) and RN-to-BSN online programs. The salary jump is significant—RN median in DFW is ~$80,000+.
  4. Medical Assistant/Office Manager: In a clinic setting, an experienced LPN can transition to a management role.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 5% job growth is solid. The trend is toward more LPNs in outpatient and home settings as the population ages. Hospitals may use fewer LPNs in acute care, but demand in long-term care and community health will remain strong. Your career security is high if you stay adaptable.

The Verdict: Is Arlington Right for You?

Here’s the straight talk.

Pros	Cons
Strong Job Market: 796 jobs and steady growth in the DFW metro.	Heat: Texas summers are brutal and long (April-October).
No State Income Tax: This effectively boosts your take-home pay.	Car Dependency: You will need a reliable car. Public transit is minimal.
Affordable Rent: Compared to Dallas or Austin, Arlington offers value.	Traffic: DFW traffic is no joke. Your commute can vary widely.
Central Location: Easy access to Dallas, Fort Worth, and DFW Airport.	Slight Overcrowding: The city is growing, and some areas feel dense.
Diverse Healthcare Settings: From large hospitals to LTC facilities.	Ceiling for LPNs: To significantly increase salary, you must specialize or get your RN.

Final Recommendation:
Arlington is an excellent choice for LPNs seeking stability, a moderate cost of living, and a wide variety of employers. It's particularly good for those who are okay with a suburban lifestyle and value access to a major metro area. If you're looking for rapid career advancement, plan to use Arlington as a base to get your RN—there are ample employers and programs to support that transition. If you're an LPN who loves home health or LTC, you'll find plenty of opportunities here.

FAQs

Q: I'm an LPN from another state. How long before I can work in Arlington?
A: If you're from a compact state, you can start immediately upon establishing residency. For non-compact states, apply for endorsement to the Texas BON. Start the process 2-3 months before your move. You can work under a temporary permit during the wait.

Q: Is the cost of living really manageable on a median LPN salary?
A: Yes, but with a caveat. You can live comfortably alone, but it will be tight without a roommate or partner. The key is budgeting for the $1,384 average rent and a car payment. You won't be saving aggressively without a second income or overtime.

Q: What are the most common specialties for LPNs in Arlington?
A: Long-term care (nursing homes), home health, and med-surg (hospital floors) are the big three. Dialysis and wound care are growing niches with higher pay.

Q: Do Arlington hospitals hire LPNs for the NICU or ICU?
A: It's very rare. Most critical care roles in Texas hospitals are for RNs. Your best bet for acute care is med-surg, orthopedics, or rehab floors.

Q: Is it worth getting my RN in Arlington?
A: Absolutely. The DFW is home to some of the top hospitals in the nation (UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health). An RN license opens doors to higher pay, more specialties, and leadership roles. Many employers here have tuition assistance to make it financially feasible.

Sources: Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Texas Board of Nursing, Arlington Economic Development reports, and local apartment market analytics.