Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky
Registered Nurses in Kentucky earn a median of $81,040 a year ($38.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 50,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,750 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $97,550. Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 25 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| 25th percentile | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Median | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| 75th percentile | $97,200 | $46.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,750 | $53.73 |
| Average (mean) | $86,140 | $41.41 |
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 | $6,753.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,376.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,116.92 |
| Weekly | $1,558.46 |
| Hourly | $38.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Kentucky
| 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 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,120 | 1,870 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| 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 29-1141. 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 Kentucky?
The median salary for registered nurses in Kentucky is $81,040 a year, or $38.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Kentucky earn at least $111,750 a year. The top 25% earn $97,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,170 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $75,670 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Kentucky?
About 50,300 registered nurses are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.