Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Topeka, KS: $82,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Topeka, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,742/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Topeka's price premium (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $93,157 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, KS, senior licensed practical nurses can expect to receive substantial compensation for their expertise, with top earners projected to command an annual salary of $82,742 in 2026. This figure places Topeka's highest salaries for experienced LPNs within a competitive range compared to national counterparts, where the top licensed practical nurse salary nationally is set at $68,071. The gap between the median annual salary of $65,756 and the peak earnings showcases the financial benefits of advanced experience and skill in the field. Achieving this level of pay often requires specializations or certifications, complemented by years of hands-on experience in various healthcare settings.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Topeka earn between $78,514 and $82,742 per year (2026 est.). This $27,366 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Topeka median of $65,756 sits 3.4% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Topeka | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,756 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,514 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,742 | $88,196 |
In Topeka, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 25.83% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Topeka
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $65,756 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Topeka employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Topeka command premium compensation, often reaching the $78,514–$82,742 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Topeka metro area, which is a large LPN employment market, 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 Topeka with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive 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 Topeka
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedTopeka ranks #5 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $82,742).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Topeka ($82,742) is 1.7% above the Kansas average P90 ($81,360).
2019 BLS Actual
$57,240
2025 BLS Actual
$78,280
2026 Current Est.
$82,742
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,458 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Topeka saw their compensation grow 36.8% from $57,240 in 2019 to $78,280 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 $87,458 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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 Topeka
>>Senior licensed practical nurses in Topeka can enhance their earnings significantly by focusing on specialized domains such as long-term care, hospice, or wound care management, where demand is sharper. Different types of employers also contribute to variations in compensation: skilled nursing facilities, for instance, may offer incentives that home health agencies do not. Advancement avenues like charge LPN positions, nursing supervision, or even transitioning to RN roles through LPN-to-RN bridge programs can provide pathways for increased salaries. Additionally, obtaining certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further boost earning potential. Non-salary benefits like shift differentials, bonuses for weekends or holidays, and stipends for advanced certifications become crucial components of the overall compensation package, further enhancing the appeal of senior-level positions in the nursing sector.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Topeka in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Topeka?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Topeka?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Topeka?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Topeka?
Related Pages
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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
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 $78,280 for licensed practical nurses in the Topeka 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