Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Dodge City, KS: $46,862 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Dodge City, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,862 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dodge City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,553 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,539) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of practical nursing, the starting licensed practical nurse salary in Dodge City, Kansas, can be around $46,862 annually, which paints a realistic picture of initial earnings for 2026. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city's projected median of $58,539, indicating a gap that reflects the anticipated growth in experience and responsibility over the following few years. As entry-level practitioners gain proficiency, they can expect their salaries to rise toward the $54,193 mark within three to five years, positioning Dodge City as a viable option for new LPNs despite slightly lower initial compensation compared to national averages. Given the projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, the local market shows promise for recent nursing graduates looking to establish themselves and grow their careers.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dodge City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dodge City
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Dodge City, KS typically start between $46,862 and $54,193 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,423 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,539 — 14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $9,000 represents just 19.21% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($46,862/year) in Dodge City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Dodge City
- 1Research the Dodge City market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $46,862 to $54,193, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dodge City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Dodge City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dodge City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Dodge City is $25,423 ( 54.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,862, experienced hygienists can earn up to $72,285.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,805
2025 BLS Actual
$44,335
2026 Current Est.
$46,862
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,705 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,707 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,659 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,862 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,533 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Dodge City, KS grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,805 in 2019 to $44,335 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,533. New graduates entering the Dodge City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dodge City 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 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Dodge City
Hiring opportunities for new licensed practical nurse graduates in Dodge City primarily lie within skilled nursing facilities, which often provide on-the-job training and orientation programs. Additionally, home health agencies are becoming popular among new grads due to their flexible scheduling options, while physician offices may prefer candidates with specific clinic experience. To improve starting pay in Kansas, prospective LPNs should ensure they possess an active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing and have completed a 12-18 month practical nursing diploma. Passing the NCLEX-PN is also essential, and further certifications, like IV therapy or wound care, can be beneficial. In the initial years of practice, LPNs in Dodge City may navigate shifting job landscapes, as long-term care settings employ a significant portion of LPNs nationally, while hospitals have increasingly moved towards all-RN staffing. As such, expanding qualifications through LPN-to-RN bridge programs can enhance career prospects and enable a smoother transition into higher-paying roles.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Dodge City in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Dodge City?
Is nursing school worth it in Dodge City?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Dodge City?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Kansas?
Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Dodge City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dodge City 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov