Registered Nurse salary in Bowling Green, KY
Registered Nurses in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $79,120 a year ($38.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,380 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $81,040. There are 23 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| 25th percentile | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Median | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| 75th percentile | $94,080 | $45.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,380 | $50.19 |
| Average (mean) | $83,650 | $40.22 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,593.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,296.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.08 |
| Weekly | $1,521.54 |
| Hourly | $38.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $84,850 | 18,180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $83,650 | 28,520 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $81,010 | 5,580 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,920 | 1,720 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,450 | 1,670 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $79,040 | 8,070 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $77,930 | 870 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $91,590 | $44.03 |
| Pharmacist | $134,980 | $64.90 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $112,970 | $54.31 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,250 | $40.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,690 | $36.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $407,570 | $195.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Veterinarian | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $61,450 | $29.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $79,120 a year, or $38.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $104,380 a year. The top 25% earn $94,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,380 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $76,250 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 1,870 registered nurses are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.