Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Manhattan, KS: $82,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Manhattan, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,118/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Manhattan's price premium (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $91,078 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
For those looking to maximize their earning potential as experienced licensed practical nurses in Manhattan, Kansas, the financial landscape is promising. With a projected median annual salary of $64,932 in 2026, seasoned professionals can unlock higher pay brackets, reaching as much as $82,118, which marks the top 10% of earners in this occupation. This significant salary range underscores the value of expertise, with a clear gap between the average and top earners highlighting the premium that experience commands in the market. Achieving such top-tier pay often requires advanced certifications and specialization, along with a deep understanding of local healthcare needs and patient demographics. For those striving for excellence, the path to becoming a high-earner in Kansas involves both clinical proficiency and strategic career decisions.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Manhattan earn between $79,233 and $82,118 per year (2026 est.). This $30,029 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Manhattan median of $64,932 sits 4.61% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Manhattan | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,932 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,233 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,118 | $88,196 |
In Manhattan, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 26.47% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Manhattan
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $64,932 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Manhattan employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Manhattan command premium compensation, often reaching the $79,233–$82,118 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Manhattan metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Manhattan with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Kansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Manhattan
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedManhattan ranks #6 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $82,118).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Manhattan ($82,118) is 0.93% above the Kansas average P90 ($81,360).
2019 BLS Actual
$52,360
2025 BLS Actual
$77,690
2026 Current Est.
$82,118
2019–2027 Growth
+65.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,799 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Manhattan saw their compensation grow 48.4% from $52,360 in 2019 to $77,690 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $86,799 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Manhattan
When analyzing compensation for senior licensed practical nurses in Manhattan, one can see that specialization plays a crucial role in enhancing earning potential. Areas such as long-term care, IV therapy, and wound care are particularly lucrative, with employers in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies often offering more attractive compensation than hospitals or physician offices. Advancement opportunities abound, including positions such as charge LPN, nursing supervisor, or MDS coordinator, paving the way for further upward mobility. Additionally, credentials such as IV therapy or hospice care certifications help bolster marketability and salary prospects. Compensation packages may also include non-salary benefits, such as shift differentials or weekend premiums that are common in long-term care settings, making the senior licensed practical nurse pay in Kansas competitive and aligned with the evolving demands of healthcare.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Manhattan in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Manhattan?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Manhattan?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Manhattan?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Manhattan?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $77,690 for licensed practical nurses in the Manhattan metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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