Average RN Salary in Kansas: See How Much KS Nurses Make
Kansas offers diverse places to live throughout The Sunflower State, including peaceful rural areas and entertainment in its cities. This guide to registered nurse (RN) salaries in Kansas will help you negotiate the best possible compensation, whether you already live in Kansas or are considering relocating.
Read on to discover where RN salaries in Kansas are highest, how other nursing salaries compare, and how to factor in cost of living.
- Average Kansas RN Salary: $66,560 (Ranks 46th among all states)
- Hourly Kansas RN Salary: $32.00
- Projected Kansas RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 8.1%
Source: BLS, Projections Central
Average RN Salaries in Kansas
Half of all registered nurse salaries in Kansas range from $59,640-$76,060, with a median of $61,790. This figure is much lower than the national median RN salary of $76,700 and even lower than neighboring Nebraska’s average RN salary of $69,850. The median hourly registered nurse salary in Kansas is $29.71, compared to $33.58 in Nebraska.
While registered nurse salaries in Kansas are low, some of this is offset by a lower cost of living, as Kansas is one of the most affordable states in the country.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 25% | $59,640 | $28.68 |
| 50% (Median) | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| 75% | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| 90% | $79,360 | $38.16 |
Source: BLS
Kansas RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
Kansas has a cost of living index of 92.4. The cost of living index for the country is 100, which means the cost of living in Kansas is 7.6% lower than in the United States as a whole. Cost of living refers to local prices on goods and services like food, transportation, and housing compared to the national average.
Adjusted for cost of living, the average RN salary in Kansas amounts to $71,619, compared to national salaries. Still, even with this adjustment, registered nurse salaries in Kansas rank 46th among all states.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $71,619 (Ranks 46th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 92.4 (7.6% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Kansas
Kansas may conjure images of farms, wheat, and possibly even Superman’s hometown, but more than half of the Kansas population lives in cities. While 90% of the state’s land is agricultural, Kansas is also home to high-tech companies such as Garmin and a fast-developing aerospace sector.
Topeka is the state capital, and its state government is the largest employer. The University of Kansas Health System is the largest healthcare employer in the city, which is also home to Baker University’s School of Nursing.
Lawrence employs many healthcare workers at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Manhattan is home to Kansas State University and Ascension Via Christi Medical Center — the largest health system in Kansas. Wichita hosts several hospitals, and the healthcare sector is the second-largest employer in the area.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | $69,320 |
| Lawrence, KS | $65,160 |
| Manhattan, KS | $63,480 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,260 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Kansas
RN salaries in Kansas are among the nation’s lowest, as are nurse midwife salaries, which are slightly more than half of the national median ($112,830) and lower than the average RN salary. However, Salary.com reports a median nurse midwife salary of $110,018 in Kansas as of June 2022. Similarly, ZipRecruiter data indicates a Kansas average of $113,280, so the BLS data may not represent the full picture.
Nurse anesthetist salaries in Kansas are also lower than the national median of $195,610. Kansas nurse practitioner (NP) salaries align closely with the national median income of $120,680 for the profession. As such, earning a graduate degree can be a valuable investment. Aspiring graduate-level nurses can earn master of science in nursing degrees to pursue work as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and NPs. They can also consider doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs.
- Nursing Assistants: $29,730
- LPN/LVNs: $46,550
- Nurse Midwives: $59,960
- Nurse Practitioners: $108,710
- Nurse Anesthetists: $159,560
Source: BLS
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state’s RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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