Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Kansas: $64,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $64,363/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,806 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($64,830), Lawrence ($62,400), Topeka ($62,210).
In Kansas, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $64,363, which is approximately 5.4% lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary range varies significantly across cities, with Kansas City offering the highest average at $68,525, while Emporia has the lowest at $57,125. This difference of $11,400 is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local healthcare demand, and the presence of educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Kansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that LPNs must adhere to, which can vary across states. The demand for healthcare services throughout Kansas has been driving job growth, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.70%, suggesting a stable job market for LPNs. Key cities for employment in 2026 include Lawrence at $65,957, Topeka at $65,756, Manhattan at $64,932, and Wichita at $63,748. Overall, those considering a career as an LPN in Kansas should feel confident about the job outlook and the potential for a fulfilling career in the state's growing healthcare sector.
Kansas Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $45,999 (lowest entry-level) to $88,878 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas licensed practical nurses earn 5.45% less than the national median ($-3,708/year difference).
Kansas Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Kansas range from $53,489 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,360 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,363. The Kansas median is $3,708 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $30.94/hr. Approximately 3,101 licensed practical nurses are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,275
2025 BLS Actual
$60,892
2026 Current Est.
$64,363
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,275 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,644 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,406 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.5% from $44,275 (2019) to $60,892 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,756 (53.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $57,125 |
| Gardner | $57,380 |
| Liberal | $57,710 |
| Hays | $57,934 |
| Prairie Village | $58,106 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $68,525 | 90.9 | $75,385 |
| Topeka | $65,756 | 88.82 | $74,033 |
| Lawrence | $65,957 | 90.243 | $73,088 |
| Manhattan | $64,932 | 90.162 | $72,017 |
| Wichita | $63,748 | 88.946 | $71,670 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,489 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,363 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,360 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $68,525 |
| 2 | Lawrence | $65,957 |
| 3 | Topeka | $65,756 |
| 4 | Manhattan | $64,932 |
| 5 | Wichita | $63,748 |
| 6 | Overland Park | $62,888 |
| 7 | Olathe | $62,088 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $61,937 |
| 9 | Garden City | $61,324 |
| 10 | Derby | $61,016 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $60,532 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $60,512 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $60,320 |
| 14 | Salina | $59,874 |
| 15 | Leawood | $59,543 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $58,539 |
| 17 | Junction City | $58,353 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $58,106 |
| 19 | Hays | $57,934 |
| 20 | Liberal | $57,710 |
| 21 | Gardner | $57,380 |
| 22 | Emporia | $57,125 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Kansas?
How does Kansas licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Kansas?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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