Registered Nurse Salary in Hays, KS: $87,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Hays, KS earns a median $87,432/year (≈ $42.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $96,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Hays, KS, can expect to see a median annual salary of $87,432 in 2026. This figure represents a significant investment in the profession, particularly for those with specialty certifications like the CCRN or CEN, which typically command a pay premium. The salary range for registered nurses in the area varies considerably, from $69,109 at the 10th percentile to $117,153 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for salary growth based on experience and specialized skills. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local conditions in Hays, where the market is seeing positive trends and opportunities for advancement in registered nurse pay.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,109 | $33.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,109 | $36.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,432 | $42.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,024 | $47.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,153 | $56.32 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,044 (2026 est.). At $87,432, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Hays median: $87,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,410 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -14.89% less |
Registered Nurses in Hays, KS earn a median of $87,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $93,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays 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.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,185 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,384
2025 BLS Actual
$83,023
2026 Current Est.
$87,432
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,384 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,044 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,253 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,023 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,384 (2019) to $83,023 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,690 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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) | $69,109 – $76,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,109 – $87,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,432 – $99,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,024 – $117,153 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Hays
The local job market for registered nurses in Hays remains competitive, with only five registered nurses currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, indicating that purchasing power is somewhat advantageous for local nurses despite salaries being lower than the national median. Hospitals that offer the best pay typically include acute care facilities and those with intensive care units, as they often provide opportunities for higher compensation through specialty differentials or charge nurse roles. Factors that contribute to salary variations include night and weekend differentials—generally an increase of $3 to $7 per hour—along with stipends for specialty certifications. To maximize earnings in Hays, nurses might consider pursuing these certifications and seeking positions at employers with a reputation for competitive compensation, such as hospital systems or specialized clinics that prioritize skilled labor.
More salary data for Hays, 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 $83,023 for registered nursesin the Hays 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 Hays 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