Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lawrence, KS: $65,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lawrence, KS earns a median $65,957/year (≈ $31.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $73,088 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lawrence, Kansas, the projected median annual licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is $65,957, slightly below the national average of $68,071. This figure reflects a competitive salary in the regional healthcare landscape, with a range from $55,281 at the 10th percentile to $81,632 at the 90th percentile. Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics suggests that factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums can significantly enhance overall compensation for long-term care providers. As healthcare continues to evolve, employers in Lawrence are adapting their pay structures to attract and retain skilled LPNs, particularly in settings where the workforce is critical to patient outcomes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,281 | $26.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,957 | $31.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,508 | $35.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,632 | $39.25 |
Median Salary Position
3.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,351 (2026 est.). At $65,957, the local median is 3.11% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $65,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,873 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.11% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $65,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.11% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.60% above the Kansas state average of $61,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,088 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,000
2025 BLS Actual
$62,400
2026 Current Est.
$65,957
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.7% from $45,000 (2019) to $62,400 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,716 (54.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,281 – $62,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,120 – $65,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,957 – $74,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,508 – $81,632 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Lawrence
A total of 150 licensed practical nurses are employed in Lawrence, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost-of-living index in the area sits at 90.243, indicating that residents enjoy a relatively lower cost environment, which benefits take-home pay. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings generally offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices, driven by the complex demands of patient care in those environments. The spread in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the types of shifts available, additional certifications, and the nature of the work. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Lawrence should consider specializing in areas like IV therapy or pursuing roles with premium pay for weekend and holiday shifts, which are often available in long-term care facilities.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,400 for licensed practical nursesin the Lawrence metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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