Nursing Assistant salary in Kentucky
Nursing Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $38,370 a year ($18.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,450 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $42,260. Kentucky ranks 37th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 12 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| 25th percentile | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Median | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| 75th percentile | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Average (mean) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,197.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,598.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,475.77 |
| Weekly | $737.88 |
| Hourly | $18.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $42,220 | 7,650 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $40,350 | 11,390 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39,380 | 3,250 |
| Owensboro, KY | $39,020 | 890 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $38,340 | 790 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38,030 | 450 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,860 | 710 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,320 | 620 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,140 | 1,950 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Orderly | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,230 | $31.36 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Kentucky?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Kentucky is $38,370 a year, or $18.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Kentucky earn at least $46,450 a year. The top 25% earn $44,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,390 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,150 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Kentucky?
About 23,410 nursing assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.