Missouri vs Kansas: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Kansas City straddles both. Compare licensure costs, malpractice climate, and rural demand.
Missouri
7,088
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $75,040
- Avg physician salary
- $390,000
- Cost of living
- 88.5
- Top state income tax
- 4.7%
Kansas
2,111
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $72,540
- Avg physician salary
- $370,000
- Cost of living
- 87.5
- Top state income tax
- 5.7%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Missouri | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Providers in directory | 7,088 | 2,111 |
| Cities served | 315 | 165 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $75,040 | $72,540 |
| Avg physician salary | $390,000 | $370,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 88.5 | 87.5 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 4.7% | 5.7% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
Missouri
- Saint Louis1,917
- Kansas City703
- Columbia570
- Springfield459
- Chesterfield220
Kansas
- Wichita484
- Kansas City380
- Overland Park175
- Topeka131
- Olathe66
Notable Health Systems
Missouri
- • BJC HealthCare
- • Mercy
- • SSM Health
- • University of Missouri Health
Kansas
- • University of Kansas Health System
- • Via Christi Health
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
Kansas
https://ksbha.ks.gov/Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, Missouri or Kansas?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Missouri earn an average of $75,040, compared to $72,540 in Kansas. The gap is roughly $2,500 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, Missouri or Kansas?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in Missouri earn approximately $390,000 on average, compared to $370,000 in Kansas. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between Missouri and Kansas?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), Missouri is 88.5 and Kansas is 87.5. Kansas (87.5) is the more affordable of the two, while Missouri (88.5) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many healthcare providers practice in Missouri vs. Kansas?
The Ava Health directory lists 7,088 providers in Missouri across 315 cities, and 2,111 providers in Kansas across 165 cities. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.7%, while Kansas's top rate is 5.7%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
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