Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lawrence, KS: $55,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Lawrence, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $55,281 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lawrence's local price level (BEA RPP 90.2 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,258 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,957) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Lawrence, Kansas, presents a promising start for new graduates entering the field. The expected starting pay for newly licensed LPNs is projected to be around $55,281, which is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $65,957. This gap indicates that early-career professionals can anticipate a significant upward growth trajectory as they gain experience, potentially earning $62,120 at the 25th percentile after a few years. The growing demand for healthcare professionals suggests that Lawrence is a favorable market for new graduates, especially considering the projected 5.70% annual growth rate in this profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lawrence
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 Lawrence
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Lawrence, KS typically start between $55,281 and $62,120 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,351 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,957 — 3.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $9,000 represents just 16.28% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($55,281/year) in Lawrence. 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 Lawrence
- 1Research the Lawrence market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $55,281 to $62,120, 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 Lawrence, 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 Lawrence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lawrence'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 Lawrence is $26,351 ( 47.67%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $55,281, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,632.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,280
2025 BLS Actual
$52,300
2026 Current Est.
$55,281
2019–2027 Growth
+70.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,432 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Lawrence, KS grew 52.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,280 in 2019 to $52,300 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,432. New graduates entering the Lawrence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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 Lawrence
Work opportunities for recent graduates in Lawrence are abundant, particularly within skilled nursing facilities that often provide robust on-the-job training and orientation for new LPNs. Home health agencies are appealing options too, attracting candidates with flexible scheduling arrangements. For those aiming to enhance their starting licensed practical nurse salary in Lawrence, acquiring an active LPN license, completing a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN are essential steps. Additionally, pursuing certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further bolster one’s appeal to employers. Realistically, first-year salaries may see modest increases as LPNs navigate their scope of practice, which varies by state. Aspiring LPNs should consider bridging to RN programs to capitalize on long-term career growth, especially as the trend toward all-RN staffing models becomes more prevalent in healthcare settings.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lawrence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 5.70%, 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