Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky
A registered nurse in Kentucky earns an estimated $81,040 a year ($38.96/hr) — about 17% below the U.S. average, with most between $75,670 and $97,200. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role 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
Registered Nurse pay by city in Kentucky
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $84,850 | $40.79 |
| Lexington | $79,040 | $38.00 |
Registered Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Kentucky compares to states with similar registered nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Kentucky
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects registered nurse pay in Kentucky
Pay below the national median; low cost of living. For a registered nurse 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 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.
Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky — FAQ
- How much does a registered nurse make in Kentucky?
- A registered nurse in Kentucky earns an estimated $81,040 a year — about $38.96 an hour, with most between $75,670 and $97,200. That's about 17% 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 registered nurses?
- For pay, Kentucky sits about 17% below the national average for registered nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $81,040 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Kentucky pays registered nurses the most?
- Among Kentucky metros we track, Louisville tends to have the highest estimated pay for registered nurses, at roughly $84,850 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Kentucky registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a registered nurse is about $97,550 a year, versus an estimated $81,040 in Kentucky — about 17% 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 registered nurse pay adjusted for Kentucky. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.