Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Gardner, KS: $57,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Gardner, KS earns a median $57,380/year (≈ $27.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $63,124 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Gardner, KS is projected to reach a median annual figure of $57,380, reflecting regional adjustments from state-level BLS data. While the salary range spans from $48,495 at the 10th percentile to $71,839 at the 90th percentile, the compensation package for LPNs in this area falls notably below the national median of $68,071 by approximately 15.71%. This discrepancy may be influenced by the predominance of employment settings in Gardner, where LPNs typically work in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, or physician offices. Each environment offers different pay scales, which shape how much do licensed practical nurses make in Gardner based on specific job duties and requirements.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,495 | $23.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,758 | $26.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,134 | $32.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,839 | $34.54 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,344 (2026 est.). At $57,380, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Gardner median: $57,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,899 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -15.71% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $57,380 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,124 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,023
2025 BLS Actual
$54,286
2026 Current Est.
$57,380
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,023 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,286 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,651 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $40,023 (2019) to $54,286 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,651 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,628 (51.54%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,495 – $54,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,758 – $57,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,380 – $67,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,134 – $71,839 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Gardner
The local job market features a modest group of six licensed practical nurses, which indicates a tightly knit community in healthcare services. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, professionals in Gardner need to consider their take-home purchasing power carefully. Among the most competitive employers are skilled nursing facilities, which tend to offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies and physician offices. Factors such as shift differentials and potential stipends for specialized certifications can contribute to variations in pay. To maximize licensed practical nurse pay in Gardner, KS, LPNs should seek opportunities in long-term care settings and consider picking up shifts during weekends or holidays, where premiums may apply. Building skills in IV therapy and pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs can also enhance career growth and earnings potential in this market.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Gardner, KS in 2026?
Is Gardner, KS a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Gardner?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Gardner?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Gardner?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $54,286 for licensed practical nursesin the Gardner metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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