Registered Nurse Salary in Wichita, KS: $80,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Wichita, KS earns a median $80,604/year (≈ $38.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $90,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Wichita, Kansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,604, reflecting an ongoing disparity with the national average of $102,730. This local pay falls within a salary range from $63,502 at the lower end (P10) to $104,815 at the higher end (P90), indicating a wide span of earning potential. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys highlight the structural divide between staff and travel nurses in the area, wherein travel nurses often command higher rates, thus influencing the local employment landscape. The varyingly strong earnings potential for Wichita RNs illustrates the need for specialized skills and certifications to achieve more competitive pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,502 | $30.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,115 | $33.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,604 | $38.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,596 | $41.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,815 | $50.39 |
Median Salary Position
21.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,313 (2026 est.). At $80,604, the local median is 21.54% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Wichita median: $80,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,400 | -13.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -21.54% less |
Registered Nurses in Wichita, KS earn a median of $80,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.54% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 13.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $80,604 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,621 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,460
2025 BLS Actual
$76,540
2026 Current Est.
$80,604
2019–2027 Growth
+50.3%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,460 (2019) to $76,540 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,424 (50.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $63,502 – $69,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,115 – $80,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,604 – $86,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,596 – $104,815 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Wichita
As of the latest estimates, Wichita employs around 7,460 registered nurses, contributing to a stable local job market. Coupled with a cost of living index of 88.946, the relatively lower living costs enhance the purchasing power for nurses in the area. Among local employers, acute care hospital systems and specialty surgical centers tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for RNs working in critical care and emergency departments. The gaps between low and high salaries can be significant, often driven by factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends, charge nurse responsibilities, and hospital magnet status. For nurses aiming to maximize their earnings in Wichita, pursuing specialty certifications and seeking opportunities in high-demand areas can improve compensation prospects and overall job satisfaction, making it essential to strategize effectively in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $76,540 for registered nursesin the Wichita 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