KS · Topeka · Updated October 15, 2026

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Topeka, KS

The median licensed practical nurse pay in the Topeka area is $28.94 per hour ($60,180 a year), with the typical range running from $26.56 to $30.53. That ranks 210th of 386 U.S. metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay, and 85th of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Topeka. The free report below lists employers near Topeka and what they pay.

More open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Topeka

7 more open roles from employers in Topeka. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Topeka, KS

The metro median is in line with the Kansas statewide median of $28.81 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.97 per hour. BLS counts about 800 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed in the Topeka metro area, 7.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.74).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$24.19$50,32019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$26.56$55,24011% below U.S. median
Median$28.94$60,1803% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$30.53$63,5002% above U.S. median
Top 10%$35.26$73,34018% above U.S. median

How Topeka ranks

  • 210th of 386 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 85th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 4 Kansas metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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Named employers near Topeka, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Topeka

  • Overall prices in Topeka run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 35% below the U.S. average (index 65.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $28.94 median hour buys what $32.58 buys at the national price level, 9% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Topeka paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,042
  • Per year: $52,092
  • Per month: $4,341

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Topeka metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Topeka

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel licensed practical nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Kansas

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Topeka as they open.

All Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Kansas

Hospitals in Topeka

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Topeka, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of licensed practical nurses.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Stormont Vail Hospital
Topeka, KS
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Va Eastern Kansas Healthcare System
Topeka, KS
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus
Topeka, KS
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Shawnee County

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Shawnee County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 10 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Lawrence, KS24 mi$27.65/hr97,271
Shawnee, KS48 mi$30.15/hr69,724
Lenexa, KS48 mi$30.15/hr59,427
Olathe, KS48 mi$30.15/hr149,035
Manhattan, KS50 mi$29.39/hr54,700
Kansas City, KS52 mi$30.15/hr156,752

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Kansas · Licensed Practical Nurse jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Kansas

Kansas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Kansas license by endorsement.

Kansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Kansas state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide

Other healthcare roles in Topeka

Topeka city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do licensed practical nurses make in Topeka, KS?

Licensed Practical Nurses in the Topeka metro area have a median pay of $28.94 per hour, about $60,180 a year. The middle half earn between $26.56 and $30.53 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Topeka a good place for licensed practical nurses once cost of living is counted?

Topeka ranks 85th of 341 metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 210th of 386 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Where do licensed practical nurses work in Topeka?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Topeka, led by Stormont Vail Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Kansas license to work in Topeka as a licensed practical nurse?

Kansas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Kansas license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Topeka in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Shawnee County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Topeka?

The federal per diem benchmark in Topeka is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place licensed practical nurses in Topeka?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Topeka and across Kansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Topeka.

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What do employers near Topeka pay licensed practical nurses? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

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Pay report · LPN / LVN near Topeka, KS
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your LPN / LVN pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Kansas list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • MaineGeneral HealthAugusta, ME · 4 postings$47.83/ hr$32–$63
  • CommonSpirit HealthWOODLAND, CA · 5 postings$41.23/ hr$31–$51
  • Boston Medical CenterMassachusetts · 3 postings$40.82/ hr$33–$48
  • Veterans Health AdministrationSan Francisco, CA · 8 postings$39.44/ hr$27–$57

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Kansas list

2What they are offering now

Low$22Median$31.53High$42

855 LPN / LVN postings with published pay in the US, 720 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 1 LPN / LVN roles

  1. Practical Nurse (Outpatient)Permanent
    $58k–$76k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Riley, KS · posted 21 days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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