Nurse Practitioner salary in Kentucky
Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky earn a median of $122,870 a year ($59.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,960 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $132,300. Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states for nurse practitioners pay. There are 2.4 nurse practitioners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nurse practitioners in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,710 | $46.01 |
| 25th percentile | $106,240 | $51.08 |
| Median | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| 75th percentile | $132,720 | $63.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,960 | $78.35 |
| Average (mean) | $125,010 | $60.10 |
Half of nurse practitioners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,119.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,725.77 |
| Weekly | $2,362.88 |
| Hourly | $59.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Practitioner salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY | $128,780 | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $128,700 | 2,820 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $125,780 | 570 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $124,200 | 110 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $123,070 | 540 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $122,900 | 1,580 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $115,540 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $115,160 | 300 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $112,970 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $168,520 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 |
| Washington | $156,100 |
| Oregon | $155,680 |
| Alaska | $155,170 |
| New York | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 |
| Nevada | $140,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $241,530 | $116.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in Kentucky?
The median salary for nurse practitioners in Kentucky is $122,870 a year, or $59.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse practitioners make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of nurse practitioners in Kentucky earn at least $162,960 a year. The top 25% earn $132,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse practitioners in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,710 a year, and a quarter of nurse practitioners earn $106,240 or less.
How many nurse practitioners work in Kentucky?
About 4,770 nurse practitioners are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.