Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $31.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Lawrence, KS runs $31.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,957 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,574 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Lawrence, Kansas, is projected to reach a median of $31.71 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.73, reflecting local market conditions. For part-time LPNs typically working three days a week, this translates to a substantial income, particularly for those employed in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospice environments. Entry-level positions start around $26.57 per hour, while experienced LPNs can earn as much as $39.25. These hourly rates, derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, provide a clear picture of the earning potential in this essential healthcare field.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.57 | $212.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.87 | $238.97 |
| Median (P50) | $31.71 | $253.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.82 | $286.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.25 | $313.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $31.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.71/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $65,957 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,052. With a cost-of-living index of 90.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,268.40 | $5,496 | $65,957 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.04 | $3,298 | $39,574 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.36 | $2,199 | $26,383 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Lawrence) | $31.71 |
| 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 Lawrence, KS earn a median of $65,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.11% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.60% above the Kansas state average of $61,873.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.71/hr = $39,574/year (purchasing power: $43,853).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,957/year (purchasing power: $73,088).
CoL index: 90.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Lawrence grew 38.6% from $21.64/hr (2019) to $30.00/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.52/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Lawrence
For those interested in part-time roles, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week can expect to take home an annual income that varies significantly depending on their work structure. Considering the per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Lawrence often ranges between $28 and $42, agency positions in understaffed facilities may push earnings to $45-$60 per hour. LPNs working in various employer types, such as hospitals, physician offices, and long-term care settings, may experience differing pay scales tied to benefits packages. Some licensed practical nurses might choose lower hourly rates for the inclusion of health insurance benefits, while others may opt for higher pay without those perks. Negotiation strategies can significantly affect these rates; LPNs should be prepared to discuss their skills, work experience, and the specific demands of the roles offered in Lawrence.
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
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 Lawrence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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