Registered Nurse Salary in Topeka, KS
Registered Nurses in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median $81,820 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,625 take-home, or $5,219 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Topeka, KS. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,170
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,073
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,186
- Kansas income tax$3,766
- Take-home pay$62,625
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.58% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Topeka, KS
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,070 | $32.25 | $53,071 | $4,423 |
| 25th percentile | $78,550 | $37.76 | $60,507 | $5,042 |
| Median (50th) | $81,820 | $39.34 | $62,625 | $5,219 |
| 75th percentile | $100,560 | $48.35 | $74,762 | $6,230 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,280 | $50.13 | $77,172 | $6,431 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,820 buys in Topeka, KS
Prices in Topeka, KS are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 35% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $62,625 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,507 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Topeka, KS has 1.3× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Topeka, KS ranks #235 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 235 | Topeka, KS | $81,820 | $62,625 | $70,507 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Kansas
- Manhattan, KS — $78,960
- Lawrence, KS — $78,020
- Wichita, KS — $76,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Topeka, KS?
The median registered nurse salary in the Topeka, KS metro area is $81,820 a year, or about $39.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,550 and $100,560.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Topeka, KS?
On the median $81,820 salary, a single filer living in Kansas takes home about $62,625 a year ($5,219 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,766 in Kansas taxes in 2026.
Is Topeka, KS a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,507 would in a typical U.S. city. Topeka, KS ranks #235 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Topeka, KS?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Topeka, KS is $820 a month ($1,057 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,740
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,210