Registered Nurse Salary in Kansas: $82,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $82,459/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,714 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Overland Park ($90,122), Olathe ($88,976), Lenexa ($88,759).
The projected average median salary for registered nurses in Kansas in 2026 is $82,459, which falls significantly below the national median of $102,730, reflecting a difference of 19.7%. The highest salaries are found in Overland Park, where registered nurses can expect to earn around $94,907, while those in Wichita have the lowest projections at $80,604. This salary gap of $14,303 between these cities can be attributed to variations in cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the availability of specialized nursing roles. Kansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the nursing landscape. The state mandates that nurses complete an accredited program and pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Looking ahead, the job market for registered nurses in Kansas shows a strong outlook with an annual growth rate of 5.31%, driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Total employment for registered nurses in Kansas is projected to be 12,351, with the top cities such as Olathe ($93,701), Lenexa ($93,472), Garden City ($92,546), and Derby ($92,084) also offering competitive salaries. This growth indicates a steady demand for nursing professionals across the state.
Kansas Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $58,717 (lowest entry-level) to $140,223 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas registered nurses earn 19.73% less than the national median ($-20,271/year difference).
Kansas Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Kansas range from $65,734 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,245 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $82,459. The Kansas median is $20,271 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $39.65/hr. Approximately 12,351 registered nurses are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,093
2025 BLS Actual
$78,301
2026 Current Est.
$82,459
2019–2027 Growth
+47.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,139 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,585 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 32.5% from $59,093 (2019) to $78,301 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,745 (46.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park | $94,907 | 90.9 | $104,408 |
| Olathe | $93,701 | 90.9 | $103,081 |
| Lenexa | $93,472 | 90.9 | $102,829 |
| Garden City | $92,546 | 90.9 | $101,811 |
| Derby | $92,084 | 90.9 | $101,303 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,734 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $82,459 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,245 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overland Park | $94,907 |
| 2 | Olathe | $93,701 |
| 3 | Lenexa | $93,472 |
| 4 | Garden City | $92,546 |
| 5 | Derby | $92,084 |
| 6 | Hutchinson | $91,352 |
| 7 | Leavenworth | $91,323 |
| 8 | Shawnee | $91,031 |
| 9 | Salina | $90,359 |
| 10 | Leawood | $89,859 |
| 11 | Dodge City | $88,345 |
| 12 | Junction City | $88,063 |
| 13 | Kansas City | $88,005 |
| 14 | Prairie Village | $87,691 |
| 15 | Hays | $87,432 |
| 16 | Liberal | $87,093 |
| 17 | Gardner | $86,595 |
| 18 | Emporia | $86,209 |
| 19 | Topeka | $86,165 |
| 20 | Manhattan | $83,153 |
| 21 | Lawrence | $82,163 |
| 22 | Wichita | $80,604 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Kansas?
How does Kansas registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Kansas?
How many registered nurses are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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