Registered Nurse Salary in Lawrence, KS: $82,163 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Lawrence, KS earns a median $82,163/year (≈ $39.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $91,046 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Lawrence, Kansas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $82,163 in 2026, reflecting a competitive level that falls short compared to the national figure of $102,730. The salary range for RNs spans from $68,715 at the 10th percentile to $101,708 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the potential for registered nurses to earn more with experience, specialization, or additional certifications, such as CCRN or CEN, which can significantly boost base pay. This perspective on the registered nurse salary in Lawrence demonstrates a local market that, while lower than national averages, still provides opportunities for growth in a thriving healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,715 | $33.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,163 | $39.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,163 | $39.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,708 | $48.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,708 | $48.90 |
Median Salary Position
20.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,993 (2026 est.). At $82,163, the local median is 20.02% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $82,163/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,367 | -12.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.02% less |
Registered Nurses in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $82,163 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.02% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 12.00% below the Kansas state average of $93,367.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,163 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,046 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,290
2025 BLS Actual
$78,020
2026 Current Est.
$82,163
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,163 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 29.4% from $60,290 (2019) to $78,020 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,236 (43.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $68,715 – $82,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,163 – $82,163 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,163 – $101,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,708 – $101,708 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Lawrence
With about 700 registered nurses currently employed in Lawrence, the local job market remains robust, offering various opportunities suitable for RNs. The cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 90.243, aids in enhancing take-home purchasing power, making the registered nurse pay in Lawrence KS relatively favorable when considering living expenses. Salaries often vary by employer; typically, hospital systems with acute care, specialty centers, and travel nursing agencies tend to offer the highest wages. Factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend shifts, specialty certification stipends, and charge nurse pay create significant disparities in compensation. For RNs looking to maximize their earnings in Lawrence, pursuing specialty certifications and engaging in travel nursing can be advantageous strategies, especially in a market that increasingly rewards advanced skills and flexibility.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 $78,020 for registered nursesin the Lawrence 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
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