Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wichita, KS: $63,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wichita, KS earns a median $63,748/year (≈ $30.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $71,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita, Kansas, licensed practical nurses are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,748 in 2026, which reflects a competitive compensation in the context of the broader national landscape. This salary is situated within a range from $53,167 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $80,681 at the higher end (90th percentile). Notably, the dynamics of LPN pay in Wichita are influenced by the specific healthcare settings in which they work—skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate a favorable job market for LPNs in Wichita, especially with projected annual growth in this field reaching 5.70%.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,167 | $25.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,968 | $26.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,748 | $30.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,293 | $32.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,681 | $38.79 |
Median Salary Position
6.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,514 (2026 est.). At $63,748, the local median is 6.35% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wichita median: $63,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,891 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.35% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wichita, KS earn a median of $63,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.35% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% above the Kansas state average of $61,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,670 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,120
2025 BLS Actual
$60,310
2026 Current Est.
$63,748
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.7% from $44,120 (2019) to $60,310 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,261 (52.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $53,167 – $55,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,968 – $63,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,748 – $68,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,293 – $80,681 |
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 Wichita
Wichita's job market includes approximately 1,690 licensed practical nurses, presenting a robust demand for this essential healthcare role. Additionally, the cost-of-living index in Wichita is 88.946, below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of LPN salaries in the area. Employers that typically provide higher salaries for LPNs include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, with compensation influenced by factors such as shift differentials, certifications for IV therapy, and various stipends. The disparities in salary are often linked to the specific work environment, as skilled nursing roles generally command higher salaries than those in home health or outpatient settings. To maximize earning potential in Wichita, LPNs should consider seeking positions in long-term care, pursuing additional certifications, and negotiating weekends or holiday premium pay.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Wichita, KS in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Wichita?
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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
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 $60,310 for licensed practical nursesin the Wichita 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
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