Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky
What registered nurses earn in Kentucky and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$81,040$38.96 per hour
vs U.S.−17%U.S. median $97,550
Middle half earn$75,670 – $97,200Top 10%: $111,750+
Jobs50,3001.16× the U.S. concentration
Registered Nurse pay in Kentucky cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $83,650 | $40.22 | 28,520 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $84,850 | $40.79 | 18,180 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $79,040 | $38.00 | 8,070 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $81,010 | $38.95 | 5,580 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $78,630 | $37.80 | 3,770 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $78,280 | $37.64 | 3,210 |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $73,520 | $35.35 | 3,190 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $76,960 | $37.00 | 2,710 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,120 | $38.04 | 1,870 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,920 | $38.42 | 1,720 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,450 | $38.20 | 1,670 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $77,930 | $37.47 | 870 |
Hospitals and jobs in Kentucky
Registered Nurse pay in similar states
South Carolina · $82,360 Missouri · $81,780 Tennessee · $81,500 North Dakota · $80,730 Louisiana · $80,230 West Virginia · $80,130
Other healthcare salaries in Kentucky
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $36,440 Nursing Assistants · $38,370 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 registered nurse make in Kentucky?
Registered Nurses in Kentucky earned a median of $81,040 a year ($38.96 an hour) in May 2025, 17% less than the national median of $97,550. The middle half earned $75,670 to $97,200.
Where in Kentucky do registered nurses earn the most?
Among areas in Kentucky, pay was highest in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN at $84,850.
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.