Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Derby, KS: $95,641 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $95,641 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $105,216 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($122,681) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derby, Kansas, new graduates entering the nurse practitioner field can expect a starting salary around $95,641 in 2026. This figure marks the entry-level pay for many nurse practitioners and falls below the city's median annual salary of $122,681, highlighting a significant gap for those just starting their careers. However, ambitious new grads may see salary growth as they gain experience, moving from the P10 salary to the P25 level of $109,243 within a few years, and closer to the median, depending on factors such as their chosen specialty and employment setting. As the healthcare market in Derby evolves, it remains a viable area for recent graduates to launch their careers, especially considering its projected job growth rate of 3.45% annually.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($117,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
Entry-level nurse practitioners in Derby, KS typically start between $95,641 and $109,243 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,818 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $122,681 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Kansas of $60,000 represents just 62.73% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($95,641/year) in Derby. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.
NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $95,641 to $109,243, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range
The nurse practitioner wage spread in Derby is $60,818 ( 63.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $95,641, experienced hygienists can earn up to $156,459.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,269
2025 BLS Actual
$92,451
2026 Current Est.
$95,641
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,683 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,641 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,940 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,269 in 2019 to $92,451 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $98,940. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Derby
For those starting their careers in Derby as nurse practitioners, job opportunities typically arise through primary care practices and urgent care facilities that are willing to hire new graduates. Many larger hospital systems also offer residency or fellowship programs designed to onboard individuals fresh from their MSN or DNP programs. As a new grad, obtaining your active RN license, national certification (with AANP or ANCC), and a state NP license will significantly enhance your credentials and starting pay in Kansas. Moreover, focusing on population-specific certifications, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), can yield higher salaries due to the increased demand in mental health services. In this evolving field, you can expect your salary to grow gradually in the early years; typically, many enter the workforce earning lower salaries but can enhance their earnings as they gain more experience and refine their practice.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Derby in 2026?
How fast do nurse practitioner salaries grow in Derby?
Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Derby?
What do new nurse practitioners make right out of school in Derby?
How do I become a nurse practitioner in Kansas?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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