Registered Nurse Salary in Liberal, KS: $87,093 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Liberal, KS earns a median $87,093/year (≈ $41.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $95,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a registered nurse salary in Liberal, KS, is projected to reach an annual median of $87,093, a figure that reflects the local healthcare demand but still remains below the national median of $102,730. Registered nurses in this region can expect a salary range between $67,987 at the lower end (P10) and $119,267 at the higher end (P90). These figures stem from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and local cost adjustments, indicating a competitive, albeit somewhat restrained, compensation structure when compared to travel nursing opportunities or positions in higher-cost urban areas. The salary landscape in Liberal highlights a critical gap between staff nurse roles and travel nursing positions, where mobility typically garners higher pay.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,987 | $32.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,093 | $41.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,970 | $45.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,267 | $57.34 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,280 (2026 est.). At $87,093, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberal Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Liberal median: $87,093/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,348 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -15.22% less |
Registered Nurses in Liberal, KS earn a median of $87,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal 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.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,093 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,143
2025 BLS Actual
$82,702
2026 Current Est.
$87,093
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,969 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,093 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,718 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,143 (2019) to $82,702 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,718 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,575 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $67,987 – $75,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,400 – $87,093 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,093 – $94,970 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,970 – $119,267 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Liberal
Despite only four registered nurses currently employed in the Liberal area, the overall job market appears stable, complemented by a cost-of-living index of 90.9, indicating a lower-than-average living expense in comparison to national standards. This favorable economic backdrop allows nurses to enjoy relatively better purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems—especially those specializing in acute care, ICU, and emergency departments—often provide the most competitive salaries. Factors influencing the noticeable pay range include incentives for night and weekend shifts that typically add $3 to $7 per hour, as well as specialty certification and charge nurse roles that further enhance salary potential. For those aiming to maximize registered nurse pay in Liberal, pursuing relevant certifications and seeking opportunities in high-demand specialties can be beneficial strategies to elevate compensation in this unique market.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 $82,702 for registered nursesin the Liberal 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 Liberal 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