Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $27.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Gardner, KS runs $27.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,380 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,429 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Gardner, KS, can expect a median hourly pay of $27.59 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate translates to approximately $2,094 per month for a part-time LPN working three days a week, while also providing a solid income for per-diem LPNs who often find work in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For entry-level positions, hourly wages start at around $23.32, with experienced practitioners earning up to $34.54. These figures reflect estimated values derived from annual salary data, offering a broad perspective on compensation for licensed practical nurses in the region.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.32 | $186.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.33 | $210.64 |
| Median (P50) | $27.59 | $220.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.28 | $258.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.54 | $276.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $27.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.59/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $57,382 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,105. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,103.51 | $4,782 | $57,382 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $662.10 | $2,869 | $34,429 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.40 | $1,913 | $22,953 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Gardner) | $27.59 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Gardner, KS earn a median of $57,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $61,899.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.59/hr = $34,429/year (purchasing power: $37,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,382/year (purchasing power: $63,127).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Gardner grew 35.6% from $19.24/hr (2019) to $26.10/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.16/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Gardner
For those considering part-time positions, a LPN working 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $54,474 annually. On the other hand, per-diem licensed practical nurses often charge between $28 and $42 an hour, with agency placements in understaffed facilities reaching as high as $45 to $60 per hour. The disparity in pay across various employer types in Gardner can also be significant. Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies commonly offer lower hourly rates, often balancing out higher pay against benefits such as health insurance, which some LPNs might prioritize over a higher hourly wage without benefits. Practical negotiation strategies for LPNs in the area could include emphasizing unique skills or experience to secure slightly better rates, particularly in a competitive job market. Understanding the higher earning potential in temporary positions might also guide some towards agency work or locum tenens roles, even if such opportunities are more transient in nature.
More salary data for Gardner, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Gardner. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gardner 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