Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Salina, KS: $59,874 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Salina, KS earns a median $59,874/year (≈ $28.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $65,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Salina, Kansas, is projected to reach a median of $59,874, which reflects a noticeable difference from the national average of $68,071. The full salary range for LPNs in this region spans from $50,127 at the 10th percentile to $72,827 at the 90th percentile, indicating a spectrum of pay influenced by factors such as employment settings and experience levels. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations reveal how Salina's market compensation for LPNs can be lower than that in many other areas, questioning the suitability of different nursing environments, especially skilled nursing versus home health services, which could affect earnings potential significantly.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,127 | $24.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,052 | $27.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,874 | $28.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,404 | $32.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,827 | $35.02 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,700 (2026 est.). At $59,874, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Salina median: $59,874/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,853 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -12.04% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Salina, KS earn a median of $59,874 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $61,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $59,874 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,762
2025 BLS Actual
$56,645
2026 Current Est.
$59,874
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,874 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $41,762 (2019) to $56,645 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,525 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $50,127 – $57,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,052 – $59,874 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,874 – $68,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,404 – $72,827 |
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 Salina
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Salina consists of around 11 professionals, making it a relatively small but stable community. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may lag behind national figures, LPNs in Kansas might enjoy a better relative quality of life due to lower living expenses. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive wages, following by hospitals and physician offices. The variability in pay often arises from different work settings and shifts, with higher earnings seen in long-term care due to amenities like shift differentials and stipends for specialized skills like IV therapy. To enhance earning potential in Salina, LPNs might consider seeking positions in skilled nursing environments or pursuing additional certifications, which could increase their marketability and justify higher pay.
More salary data for Salina, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Salina, KS in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Salina?
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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 $56,645 for licensed practical nursesin the Salina 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
Salary data for Salina is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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