LPN Salary

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

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

Kansas City, MO
$68,092
$32.74/hr
Liberty, MO
$63,577
$30.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOLiberty, MO
Median Salary$68,092$63,577
Hourly Rate$32.74$30.57
Entry Level (P10)$55,429$49,646
25th Percentile$64,065$58,133
75th Percentile$78,112$72,648
Top Earner (P90)$82,943$77,352
Total Employed4,5705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($68,092) and Liberty ($63,577) licensed practical nurse salaries.Kansas CityLibertyMedian Salary$68,092$63,577Entry Level (P10)$55,429$49,646Top Earner (P90)$82,943$77,352US Median $68,071

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kansas City and Liberty is $4,515 (7.10%). 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 Kansas City spans $27,514,Liberty spans $27,706. Liberty has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$55,429
P25$64,065
Median$68,092
P75$78,112
P90 (Top)$82,943
Liberty
P10 (Entry)$49,646
P25$58,133
Median$63,577
P75$72,648
P90 (Top)$77,352

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($73,579 effective) pays 3.70% more than Liberty ($70,956 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $68,092
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $73,579
Liberty
Nominal: $63,577
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $70,956

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Kansas City grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.0% growth in Liberty over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+38.3%

$46,570 (2019) → $64,420 (2025)

Liberty, MO

+31.0%

$45,916 (2024) → $60,149 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kansas City has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,092/year, compared to Liberty at $63,577/year — a difference of $4,515 (7.10%).

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

Kansas City licensed practical nurses earn $32.74/hr while Liberty hygienists earn $30.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Liberty. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $73,579, Liberty = $70,956), job availability (4,570 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $55,429 in Kansas City and $49,646 in Liberty. 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