Registered Nurse Salary in Salina, KS: $90,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Salina, KS earns a median $90,359/year (≈ $43.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $99,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Salina, KS, are projected to reflect a median annual figure of $90,359, demonstrating a significant gap compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range for RNs here is estimated between $69,535 at the lower end (P10) and $119,863 at the higher end (P90). These projections are informed by data derived from 2025 BLS state-level information and adjusted for local economic conditions. Given the structural divide between staff nursing and high-paying travel nursing roles, Salina’s market may present considerations for aspiring RNs looking to balance job stability with potential earnings in different settings.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,535 | $33.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,598 | $37.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,359 | $43.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,663 | $48.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,863 | $57.63 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,328 (2026 est.). At $90,359, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Salina median: $90,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,346 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -12.04% less |
Registered Nurses in Salina, KS earn a median of $90,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $93,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $90,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,473
2025 BLS Actual
$85,803
2026 Current Est.
$90,359
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,259 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,705 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $64,473 (2019) to $85,803 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,684 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $69,535 – $77,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,598 – $90,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,359 – $100,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,663 – $119,863 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Salina
Currently, there are only 11 registered nurses employed in the Salina area, indicating a competitive field where pay rates come with certain expectations. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, the effective take-home pay for RNs may stretch further, allowing for better financial security. Hospitals, particularly those with magnet status and ICU or ED departments, typically offer higher compensation, along with travel nursing agencies that have gained prominence since the pandemic. The wide pay range reflects factors such as shift differentials (which can add $3-7 per hour for nights or weekends), specialty certifications, and charge nurse roles. To maximize earning potential in Salina, nurses should consider pursuing relevant certifications and targeting acute care settings that value advanced skills.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $85,803 for registered nursesin the Salina 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 Salina 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