Nurse Practitioner salary in Kentucky
A nurse practitioner in Kentucky earns an estimated $122,870 a year ($59.07/hr) — about 7% below the U.S. average, with most between $106,240 and $132,720. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nurse Practitioner — Kentucky
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$122,870
-7% vs nationalHourly
$59.07/hr
- Typical range
- $106,240–$132,720
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $162,960
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $95,710
- Newer nurses
Nurse Practitioner pay by city in Kentucky
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $122,900 | $59.09 |
| Lexington | $123,070 | $59.17 |
Nurse Practitioner pay in nearby-paying states
How Kentucky compares to states with similar nurse practitioner pay.
Other nursing roles in Kentucky
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nurse practitioner pay in Kentucky
Pay below the national median; low cost of living. For a nurse practitioner specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Kentucky in official U.S. government wage data — about 7% below the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Kentucky, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $95,710 and the highest-paid 10% about $162,960. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Kentucky — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Kentucky make this page more precise over time.
Nurse Practitioner salary in Kentucky — FAQ
- How much does a nurse practitioner make in Kentucky?
- A nurse practitioner in Kentucky earns an estimated $122,870 a year — about $59.07 an hour, with most between $106,240 and $132,720. That's about 7% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Kentucky's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Kentucky a good state for nurse practitioners?
- For pay, Kentucky sits about 7% below the national average for nurse practitioners. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $122,870 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Kentucky pays nurse practitioners the most?
- Among Kentucky metros we track, Lexington tends to have the highest estimated pay for nurse practitioners, at roughly $123,070 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Kentucky nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a nurse practitioner is about $132,300 a year, versus an estimated $122,870 in Kentucky — about 7% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)
Kentucky figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Kentucky (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nurse practitioner pay adjusted for Kentucky. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.