Nurse Practitioner Pay

Lawrence vs Lenexa: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Lawrence, KS and Lenexa, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawrence, KS
$131,019
$62.99/hr
Lenexa, KS
$124,531
$59.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawrence, KSLenexa, KS
Median Salary$131,019$124,531
Hourly Rate$62.99$59.87
Entry Level (P10)$102,178$93,070
25th Percentile$126,581$108,390
75th Percentile$131,164$146,954
Top Earner (P90)$157,161$170,265
Total Employed10012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawrence ($131,019) and Lenexa ($124,531) nurse practitioner salaries.LawrenceLenexaMedian Salary$131,019$124,531Entry Level (P10)$102,178$93,070Top Earner (P90)$157,161$170,265US Median $136,864

Verdict

Lawrence, KS offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lenexa.

The salary gap between Lawrence and Lenexa is $6,488 (5.21%). Lawrence's median is -4.27% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawrence spans $54,983,Lenexa spans $77,195. Lenexa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Lawrence
P10 (Entry)$102,178
P25$126,581
Median$131,019
P75$131,164
P90 (Top)$157,161
Lenexa
P10 (Entry)$93,070
P25$108,390
Median$124,531
P75$146,954
P90 (Top)$170,265

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawrence ($145,185 effective) pays 5.98% more than Lenexa ($136,998 effective).

Lawrence
Nominal: $131,019
CoL Index: 90.243
Adjusted: $145,185
Lenexa
Nominal: $124,531
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $136,998

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawrence if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,019/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,185)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Lenexa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($170,265)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Lawrence grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Lenexa over the same period.

Lawrence, KS

+26.9%

$99,830 (2019) → $126,650 (2025)

Lenexa, KS

+13.1%

$106,456 (2024) → $120,378 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Lawrence or Lenexa?

Lawrence has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $131,019/year, compared to Lenexa at $124,531/year — a difference of $6,488 (5.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawrence and Lenexa?

Lawrence nurse practitioners earn $62.99/hr while Lenexa hygienists earn $59.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawrence to Lenexa as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawrence and Lenexa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawrence = $145,185, Lenexa = $136,998), job availability (100 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Lawrence vs Lenexa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $102,178 in Lawrence and $93,070 in Lenexa. The Lawrence area offers higher starting salaries.
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