KS · Topeka · Updated October 15, 2026

Registered Nurse jobs in Topeka, KS

Registered Nurses in the Topeka area earn a median of $37.92 per hour, about $78,870 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $36.99 and $46.61. That ranks 282nd of 379 U.S. metro areas for registered nurse pay, and 175th of 335 once local prices are factored in. 2 open roles with published pay are listed for Topeka. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Topeka.

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Open Registered Nurse roles in Topeka

More open Registered Nurse roles in Topeka

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

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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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Registered Nurse pay in Topeka, KS

The metro median is 1% above the Kansas statewide median of $37.53 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 3,170 registered nurses employed in the Topeka metro area, 28.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.32).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$29.75$61,88034% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$36.99$76,94018% below U.S. median
Median$37.92$78,87016% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$46.61$96,9504% above U.S. median
Top 10%$49.26$102,4609% above U.S. median

How Topeka ranks

  • 282nd of 379 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 175th of 335 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, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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 $37.92 median hour buys what $42.69 buys at the national price level, 5% below 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$1,365
  • Per year: $68,256
  • Per month: $5,688

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 registered 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).

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 registered 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.

Registered Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Lawrence, KS24 mi$38.23/hr97,271
Shawnee, KS48 mi$39.73/hr69,724
Lenexa, KS48 mi$39.73/hr59,427
Olathe, KS48 mi$39.73/hr149,035
Manhattan, KS50 mi$37.29/hr54,700
Kansas City, KS52 mi$39.73/hr156,752

Registered Nurse jobs in Kansas · Registered 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 registered nurses make in Topeka, KS?

Registered Nurses in the Topeka metro area have a median pay of $37.92 per hour, about $78,870 a year. The middle half earn between $36.99 and $46.61 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Topeka ranks 175th of 335 metro areas for registered nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 282nd of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring registered nurses in Topeka?

We list 2 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Topeka. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Topeka.

Do I need a Kansas license to work in Topeka as a registered 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 registered 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 registered nurses? Get the report.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

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

Your RN pay reportTopeka, KS · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Veterans Health AdministrationTopeka, KS · 4 postings$50.03/ hr$34–$66
  • Lawrence Memorial HospitalLawrence, KS · 2 wage offers$41.82/ hr$41–$42
  • CommonSpirit HealthGarden City, KS · 9 postings$39.14/ hr$28–$52
  • Lifeline Nursing Solutions, LLCKansas City, KS · 3 wage offers$36.62/ hr$37–$37

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$31Median$40.21High$62

14 RN postings with published pay in Kansas, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 14 RN roles

  1. Registered Nurse - Community Living CenterPermanent
    $75k–$138k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · Topeka, KS · posted today
  2. Registered Nurse-Critical/Progressive CarePermanent
    $76k–$136k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · Topeka, KS · posted today

+ 12 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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