Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Kansas 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Kansas (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Kansas in 2026 is $61,500/year ($29.57/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from KU Health System, HCA Midwest, Via Christi Health, and other major Kansas employers. The Kansas City metro area (straddling KS and MO) commands significantly higher wages, while Wichita and western Kansas track closer to the state average.
RN Salary by City in Kansas
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Metro (KS side) | $67,000 | KU Health System, HCA Midwest, Shawnee Mission — benefits from MO border market competition |
| Wichita | $62,500 | Via Christi Health, Wesley Medical — largest city in KS; strong cardiac + ortho programs |
| Topeka | $59,000 | Stormont Vail Health — state capital; non-profit community system |
| Lawrence | $61,000 | Lawrence Memorial Hospital — KU adjacency drives premium for specialty nurses |
| Manhattan | $58,000 | Ascension Via Christi — Flint Hills regional hub; K-State community |
| Western Kansas (Dodge City / Garden City) | $56,500 | Rural critical access hospitals; loan repayment programs common |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Kansas
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $198,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $75,000 |
| Emergency RN | $71,500 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $69,000 |
| L&D / Perinatal RN | $68,500 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $72,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $60,500 |
Top Kansas Healthcare Employers for RNs
- KU Health System — University of Kansas flagship academic medical center; Kansas City metro; cancer center, transplant, and trauma specialties
- HCA Midwest Health — 9 hospitals in the Kansas City market including Overland Park Regional, Menorah Medical Center, and others
- Via Christi Health (Ascension) — largest health system in Wichita; 5 hospitals across Kansas including Wesley Medical
- Stormont Vail Health — Topeka's primary health system; community non-profit with solid benefit packages
- Shawnee Mission Health — Kansas City suburb health system; acquired by Advent Health; strong Labor & Delivery
- Children's Mercy Kansas City — pediatric specialty with campuses on both sides of the MO/KS border
Compact License Status
Kansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license issued from another NLC compact state can practice in Kansas without a separate Kansas license. Because the Kansas City metro spans Kansas and Missouri (both compact states), nurses can freely work across the state line — a major flexibility advantage in this bi-state market.
Kansas RN Job Market Outlook
Western Kansas rural areas face the most severe nursing shortages, with many critical access hospitals offering NHSC loan repayment and $10,000–$20,000 sign-on bonuses. Wichita is the state's strongest hospital employment hub outside Kansas City. Travel RN rates in Wichita run $1,500–$2,100/week, with Kansas City metro rates slightly higher at $1,700–$2,300/week. Kansas's cost of living (top-20 lowest nationally) supports strong real wages relative to the nominal figures.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Kansas
- Target Kansas City metro over Wichita: KU Health System and HCA Midwest pay $5,000–$8,000/year more than Wichita counterparts for equivalent roles
- Use the bi-state advantage: Compact license works across both KS and MO — apply to Children's Mercy, KU Health, and KUMC simultaneously
- Pursue CRNA if eligible: Kansas CRNA pay ($198K avg) is relatively high compared to nearby state averages
- Rural NHSC programs in Western KS: Eligible shortage-area nurses can qualify for significant loan repayment working in Garden City, Liberal, or Dodge City
- Night/weekend differentials: Kansas hospitals typically offer $3–$6/hour for non-day shifts; evening differentials often stack with weekend premiums
Related: RN Salary Missouri 2026, RN Salary Oklahoma 2026, Kansas RN License Guide.
Hiring in this space?
Browse 1.4M+ verified providers across all 50 states
NPI-sourced, free, no account required. Filter by specialty + state in seconds.
Search the directory →Free tool
2026 Healthcare Salary Calculator
Estimate comp by specialty, state, experience, and practice setting. Based on MGMA, AMGA, and BLS benchmarks.
Try the salary calculator →Be on the launch list
Salary data, hiring plays, and market trends. We'll email you when issue 1 ships. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.