Nurse Practitioner Pay

Branson vs Kansas City: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Branson, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Branson, MO
$123,840
$59.54/hr
Kansas City, MO
$135,271
$65.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBranson, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$123,840$135,271
Hourly Rate$59.54$65.04
Entry Level (P10)$103,722$100,378
25th Percentile$115,393$124,264
75th Percentile$143,024$149,537
Top Earner (P90)$153,927$165,323
Total Employed42,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Branson ($123,840) and Kansas City ($135,271) nurse practitioner salaries.BransonKansas CityMedian Salary$123,840$135,271Entry Level (P10)$103,722$100,378Top Earner (P90)$153,927$165,323US Median $136,864

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Branson.

The salary gap between Branson and Kansas City is $11,431 (9.23%). Kansas City's median is -1.16% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Branson spans $50,205,Kansas City spans $64,945. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Branson
P10 (Entry)$103,722
P25$115,393
Median$123,840
P75$143,024
P90 (Top)$153,927
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$100,378
P25$124,264
Median$135,271
P75$149,537
P90 (Top)$165,323

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($146,171 effective) pays 5.76% more than Branson ($138,214 effective).

Branson
Nominal: $123,840
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $138,214
Kansas City
Nominal: $135,271
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $146,171

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Branson if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,271/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,323)
  • Larger job market (2,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,171)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Branson grew 22.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Branson, MO

+22.9%

$97,419 (2024) → $119,710 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+22.9%

$106,400 (2019) → $130,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Branson or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $135,271/year, compared to Branson at $123,840/year — a difference of $11,431 (9.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Branson and Kansas City?

Branson nurse practitioners earn $59.54/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $65.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Branson to Kansas City as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Branson and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Branson = $138,214, Kansas City = $146,171), job availability (4 vs 2,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Branson vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $103,722 in Branson and $100,378 in Kansas City. The Branson area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov