Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $38.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Wichita, KS runs $38.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,604 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,365 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Wichita, Kansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $38.75, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.39. This discrepancy suggests a more regional focus, particularly when considering job settings like hospital floors, intensive care units (ICUs), and outpatient clinics where these professionals typically work. For RNs working on a part-time schedule, such as three days a week, this rate translates into a stable income, while per-diem workers can also potentially benefit from flexible hours. Hourly earnings in Wichita for registered nurses range from about $30.53 for entry-level positions to around $50.39 for experienced RNs, reflecting the variety of opportunities available in both acute care and specialty nursing environments. These figures are drawn from official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.53 | $244.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.23 | $265.80 |
| Median (P50) | $38.75 | $310.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.63 | $333.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.39 | $403.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $38.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.75/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $80,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,505. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,550.16 | $6,717 | $80,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $930.10 | $4,030 | $48,365 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.07 | $2,687 | $32,243 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Wichita) | $38.75 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Wichita, KS earn a median of $80,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.54% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 13.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,400.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.75/hr = $48,365/year (purchasing power: $54,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,608/year (purchasing power: $90,626).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Wichita grew 35.6% from $27.14/hr (2019) to $36.80/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.81/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Wichita
Focusing on part-time earnings, a registered nurse working just 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home approximately $48,000 annually, which is noticeably lower than what full-time nurses earn. However, the per diem route offers variance, with per diem registered nurse pay in Wichita ranging from $50 to $80 per hour, depending on specialty and demand. With crisis rates in some areas, travel nurses can command contracts worth $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, and even higher in shortage markets. Additionally, hourly rates can differ based on employer types in Wichita, such as hospitals, specialty centers, and home health agencies, all of which might offer differing benefits that could affect overall compensation. Many RNs may choose positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance, while others may prefer higher pay with fewer benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates, highlighting specific skills or certifications, such as a BSN or specialty training, can lead to better offers in the competitive nursing job market of Wichita, KS.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Wichita. 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 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