LPN Salary

Gladstone vs Kansas City: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Gladstone, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gladstone, MO
$61,660
$29.65/hr
Kansas City, MO
$68,092
$32.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGladstone, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$61,660$68,092
Hourly Rate$29.65$32.74
Entry Level (P10)$50,379$55,429
25th Percentile$57,835$64,065
75th Percentile$73,196$78,112
Top Earner (P90)$79,517$82,943
Total Employed74,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gladstone ($61,660) and Kansas City ($68,092) licensed practical nurse salaries.GladstoneKansas CityMedian Salary$61,660$68,092Entry Level (P10)$50,379$55,429Top Earner (P90)$79,517$82,943US Median $68,071

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gladstone.

The salary gap between Gladstone and Kansas City is $6,432 (10.43%). Kansas City's median is +0.03% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gladstone spans $29,138,Kansas City spans $27,514. Gladstone has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gladstone
P10 (Entry)$50,379
P25$57,835
Median$61,660
P75$73,196
P90 (Top)$79,517
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$55,429
P25$64,065
Median$68,092
P75$78,112
P90 (Top)$82,943

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($73,579 effective) pays 6.92% more than Gladstone ($68,817 effective).

Gladstone
Nominal: $61,660
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $68,817
Kansas City
Nominal: $68,092
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $73,579

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gladstone if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,092/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,943)
  • Larger job market (4,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,579)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Gladstone grew 31.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Gladstone, MO

+31.0%

$44,531 (2024) → $58,335 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+38.3%

$46,570 (2019) → $64,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Gladstone or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,092/year, compared to Gladstone at $61,660/year — a difference of $6,432 (10.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gladstone and Kansas City?

Gladstone licensed practical nurses earn $29.65/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $32.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gladstone to Kansas City as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gladstone and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gladstone = $68,817, Kansas City = $73,579), job availability (7 vs 4,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Gladstone vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $50,379 in Gladstone and $55,429 in Kansas City. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov