St. Louis vs Kansas City: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse salaries between St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $87,597▲ | $87,449 |
| Hourly Rate | $42.11▲ | $42.04 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,809 | $70,526▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $81,520 | $82,047▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $105,552▲ | $103,941 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $110,007▲ | $109,038 |
| Total Employed | 35,200▲ | 29,650 |
Verdict
St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kansas City.
The salary gap between St. Louis and Kansas City is $148 (0.17%). St. Louis's median is -14.73% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $43,198,Kansas City spans $38,512. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($94,496 effective) pays 2.58% more than St. Louis ($92,122 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose St. Louis if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($87,597/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($110,007)
- ✓Larger job market (35,200 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle
Choose Kansas City if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,496)
- ✓You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in St. Louis grew 29.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Kansas City over the same period.
St. Louis, MO
$64,150 (2019) → $83,180 (2025)
Kansas City, MO
$66,950 (2019) → $83,040 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
St. Louis, MO
Kansas City, MO
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays registered nurses more: St. Louis or Kansas City?
What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Kansas City?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% 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 Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov