Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Derby, KS: $66,160 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,160 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,783 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,084) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, newly minted registered nurses in Derby, Kansas can expect to earn an entry-level salary starting around $66,160. With the city's median annual salary for registered nurses projected at $92,084, this marks a substantial gap that new graduates should consider when entering the job market. As they gain experience over the first three to five years, their salary trajectory may improve significantly, transitioning from the entry-level wage towards the 25th percentile at $75,606 and eventually aiming for the median. This growth pattern suggests that Derby offers a reasonably promising environment for new RNs, with a strong potential for advancement as they settle into their roles.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
Entry-level registered nurses in Derby, KS typically start between $66,160 and $75,606 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,393 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,084 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $42,000 represents just 63.48% of the starting registered nurse pay ($66,160/year) in Derby. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $66,160 to $75,606, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Derby is $59,393 ( 89.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,160, experienced hygienists can earn up to $125,553.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,460
2025 BLS Actual
$62,824
2026 Current Est.
$66,160
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,067 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,824 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,160 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,673 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,460 in 2019 to $62,824 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,673. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Derby
When it comes to breaking into the nursing field in Derby, several healthcare employers are notable for hiring new graduates. Large hospital systems often have new-grad residency programs that provide crucial hands-on experience through rotations, while community hospitals may expedite training processes to help new nurses adapt quickly. For those looking to boost their starting pay, obtaining an active RN license and advancing their education with an ASN or BSN degree is essential. Specialty certifications, such as those from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), could further enhance earning potential. Career strategies for the early years often recommend prioritizing employment at Magnet-status facilities that favor BSN graduates and offering differential pay for challenging shifts. With the right credentials and early career planning, RNs in Derby have realistic prospects for salary growth, particularly as they engage in ongoing education and specialty training within their first three years.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for registered nurses in Derby in 2026?
How fast do registered nurse salaries grow in Derby?
Is nursing school worth it in Derby?
What do new registered nurses make right out of school in Derby?
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov