Registered Nurses in Kansas. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Registered Nurse in Kansas earned $78,060 in 2024, about 17% below the national median of $94,511. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
Kansas has a cost-of-living index of 90, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 10% lower than the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the $78,060 median translates to closer to $86,700 in national-baseline dollars. The gap with the US median narrows to around 8%. Still a discount, but a much smaller one than the headline figure suggests.
The spread between low and high earners is moderate. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned $60,630, while one at the 90th earned $97,870. That puts top earners at about 1.6 times what bottom earners make. Within Kansas, the main driver of where someone lands on that range is typically experience, specialty, and setting. ICU and surgical nurses tend to cluster at the top; new graduates and some home health roles at the bottom.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. Kansas, like most of the rural Midwest, has pockets of significant nursing shortage in smaller counties, though that pressure does not yet show up in above-average wage growth at the state level. The 32,640 nurses currently employed here represent a large enough base that demand is steady, if not accelerating.
For context: Kansas pays below the national figure, but after accounting for what the money actually buys, the difference is closer to a rounding error than a career-defining penalty.
Salary distribution
Where Kansas registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $73,300 and $94,700, with a median of $79,320.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Kansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kansas over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Kansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Kansas is $79,320.
- How does Kansas compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Kansas median is -19.3% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Kansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,180 and the 90th-percentile at $100,840, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.