Nurse salary in Kentucky
Registered nurses in Kentucky earn about $81,040 a year ($38.96/hr) — about 17% below the U.S. average. State figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered nurse — Kentucky
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$81,040
-17% vs nationalHourly
$38.96/hr
- Typical range
- $75,670–$97,200
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $111,750
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $64,170
- Newer nurses
Explore Kentucky nurse pay
Switch between cities and roles to drill into local pay.
Nurse pay by type in Kentucky
Estimated annual pay by nurse type, ranked. Local figures are estimates.
- Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistVerified public wage data$222,520$106.98/hr
- Nurse PractitionerVerified public wage data$122,870$59.07/hr
- Nurse ManagerSpecialty estimate$105,350$50.65/hr
- Travel NurseSpecialty estimate$101,300$48.70/hr
- ICU NurseSpecialty estimate$90,760$43.63/hr
- Registered NurseVerified public wage data$81,040$38.96/hr
- Licensed Practical NurseVerified public wage data$60,460$29.07/hr
- Nursing Assistant (CNA)Verified public wage data$38,370$18.45/hr
All nurse roles in Kentucky
Estimated pay for every nurse type in Kentucky — open one for the full local breakdown.
What affects nurse pay in Kentucky
Pay below the national median; low cost of living. Within Kentucky, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, the mix of hospitals vs long-term care and clinics, union presence, shift differentials, and how short-staffed local employers are. Advanced-practice roles (NP, CRNA) and critical-care specialties command the highest pay. 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 17% 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 $64,170 and the highest-paid 10% about $111,750. 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.
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
Last reviewed July 17, 2026.