Registered Nurse Salary in Gardner, KS: $86,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Gardner, KS earns a median $86,595/year (≈ $41.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $95,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Gardner, Kansas, reflect the ongoing divide between staff and travel nursing roles, with the median salary projected at $86,595. The salary range for registered nurses varies significantly, from $67,138 at the tenth percentile to $117,661 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for regional price variations, depict a competitive landscape, although they lag behind the national median of $102,730 by approximately 15.71%. This pay gap highlights the financial dynamics present in Gardner's healthcare environment, where a limited number of registered nurses are employed, indicating potential challenges for job seekers in this market.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,138 | $32.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,595 | $41.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,891 | $47.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,661 | $56.57 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,523 (2026 est.). At $86,595, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Gardner median: $86,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,415 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -15.71% less |
Registered Nurses in Gardner, KS earn a median of $86,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $93,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner 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.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $86,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,788
2025 BLS Actual
$82,229
2026 Current Est.
$86,595
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,229 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,194 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $61,788 (2019) to $82,229 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,406 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $67,138 – $74,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,360 – $86,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,595 – $98,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,891 – $117,661 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Gardner
Within Gardner, the nursing job market is characterized by a relatively small workforce of only six registered nurses, which can influence salary negotiation dynamics. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.9, suggesting that while registered nurse pay in Gardner KS may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power is relatively better when adjusted for local living costs. Local employers such as acute care hospitals and surgical specialty centers may offer higher compensation, particularly for roles in high-demand areas like the ICU and emergency departments. Factors such as shift differentials for nighttime and weekend shifts can augment earnings significantly, while those with specialty certifications often secure additional stipends. For registered nurses looking to maximize their pay, pursuing roles in acute care settings and obtaining relevant certifications should be prioritized, enabling them to effectively negotiate compensation structures that reward their specialized skills.
More salary data for Gardner, 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
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 $82,229 for registered nursesin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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