Nursing Assistant salary in Kentucky
What nursing assistants earn in Kentucky and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$38,370$18.45 per hour
vs U.S.−9%U.S. median $42,260
Middle half earn$36,150 – $44,120Top 10%: $46,450+
Jobs23,4101.26× the U.S. concentration
Nursing Assistant pay in Kentucky cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $40,350 | $19.40 | 11,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $42,220 | $20.30 | 7,650 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39,380 | $18.93 | 3,250 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $36,340 | $17.47 | 2,230 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $37,380 | $17.97 | 2,100 |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $35,330 | $16.99 | 2,020 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,140 | $17.86 | 1,950 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $37,230 | $17.90 | 1,810 |
| Owensboro, KY | $39,020 | $18.76 | 890 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $38,340 | $18.43 | 790 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,860 | $18.20 | 710 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,320 | $17.94 | 620 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38,030 | $18.28 | 450 |
Hospitals and jobs in Kentucky
Nursing Assistant pay in similar states
South Dakota · $38,800 Idaho · $38,650 North Carolina · $38,460 Indiana · $38,330 Kansas · $38,010 Tennessee · $37,990
Other healthcare salaries in Kentucky
Registered Nurses · $81,040 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $36,440 Medical Assistants · $39,270 Pharmacy Technicians · $39,200 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $60,460 Pharmacists · $136,530 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $60,880 Nurse Practitioners · $122,870 Dental Assistants · $47,730 Medical Records Specialists · $48,410 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · $69,670 Physical Therapists · $100,710
Questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Kentucky?
Nursing Assistants in Kentucky earned a median of $38,370 a year ($18.45 an hour) in May 2025, 9% less than the national median of $42,260. The middle half earned $36,150 to $44,120.
Where in Kentucky do nursing assistants earn the most?
Among areas in Kentucky, pay was highest in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN at $42,220.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.