Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $32.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Kansas City, KS runs $32.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,525 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,117 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, KS, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $32.95 in 2026, slightly above the national median hourly wage of $32.73. This competitive rate positions licensed practical nurses well in a variety of work settings, ranging from skilled nursing facilities and home health visits to physician offices and hospice care. For those working part-time, like a typical schedule of three days a week, this hourly wage translates to a substantial income while allowing for flexible work-life balance. Entry-level LPNs might start around $24.10 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $42.73, reflecting a broad spectrum of opportunities and pay based on experience and qualifications.
About the Kansas City 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) | $24.10 | $192.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.00 | $232.03 |
| Median (P50) | $32.95 | $263.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.95 | $311.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.73 | $341.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $32.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.95/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $68,529 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,536. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,317.87 | $5,711 | $68,529 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $790.72 | $3,426 | $41,117 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $527.15 | $2,284 | $27,412 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Kansas City) | $32.95 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $68,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 10.70% above the Kansas state average of $61,902.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.95/hr = $41,117/year (purchasing power: $45,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,529/year (purchasing power: $75,390).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Kansas City grew 35.6% from $22.98/hr (2019) to $31.17/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.82/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 Kansas 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Kansas City
Part-time licensed practical nurses in Kansas City typically work about 24 hours a week, leading to annual take-home earnings significantly under that of their full-time counterparts. With hourly rates that can fluctuate, per diem licensed practical nurses often see pay ranging from $28 to $42 per hour, while those in agency positions at nursing facilities may command rates between $45 and $60 per hour. These variances reflect the employment settings’ demands and staffing needs. With decreasing roles for LPNs in hospitals, many find rewarding positions in long-term care, hospice, or home health. Those choosing to accept lower rates in exchange for benefits, like health insurance, should carefully weigh the financial trade-off. Effective negotiation skills can help improve hourly earnings; understanding the job market in Kansas City is key when discussing wages and benefits with employers.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Kansas City in 2026?
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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
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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas 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