Registered Nurse Salary in Emporia, KS: $86,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Emporia, KS earns a median $86,209/year (≈ $41.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $94,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Emporia, KS, can expect a median annual salary of $86,209, which reflects a notable difference when compared to the national average of $102,730. The local salary range extends from $66,194 at the 10th percentile to $116,215 at the 90th percentile, providing a spectrum of earning potential. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Despite the existing gap in earnings, Emporia’s job market shows promise for registered nurses amidst a growing demand for healthcare professionals, particularly as the distinction between staff and travel nursing remains pronounced in factors of pay and job opportunities.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,194 | $31.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,559 | $35.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,209 | $41.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,137 | $47.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,215 | $55.88 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,021 (2026 est.). At $86,209, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Emporia median: $86,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,401 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.08% less |
Registered Nurses in Emporia, KS earn a median of $86,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $86,209 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,512
2025 BLS Actual
$81,862
2026 Current Est.
$86,209
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,158 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,787 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $61,512 (2019) to $81,862 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,275 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,194 – $73,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,559 – $86,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,209 – $98,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,137 – $116,215 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Emporia
Currently, the registered nursing workforce in Emporia is small, with only five individuals employed in this capacity. The cost of living index sits at 90.9, indicating that living expenses in the region are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of nurses' salaries. Typically, larger employers such as acute care hospitals, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies offer competitive pay rates. Differences in earnings among registered nurses can often stem from factors like shift differentials—where night shifts command an additional $3 to $7 per hour—and other incentives for specialty certifications or leadership roles. For those seeking to boost their earnings in Emporia, pursuing certifications, working nights or weekends, and exploring positions within magnet-status hospitals can be effective strategies to maximize registered nurse pay in Emporia, KS.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Emporia, KS in 2026?
Is Emporia, KS a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Emporia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Emporia?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Emporia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,862 for registered nursesin the Emporia metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Emporia 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