Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky
Registered Nurses in Kentucky earn a median of $38.42 per hour, about $79,910 a year, 15% below the U.S. median of $45.00. The middle half earn between $34.83 and $45.76 per hour. The highest median among Kentucky metro areas is in Lexington-Fayette, KY, at $39.80 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $38.42median pay per hour
- $79,910median pay per year
- 48,170registered nurses employed in Kentucky
- #39of 50 states by median pay
Registered Nurse pay in Kentucky: percentiles
| Level | Kentucky per hour | Kentucky per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.38 | $63,190 | $31.75 |
| Lower quartile | $34.83 | $72,450 | $37.79 |
| Median | $38.42 | $79,910 | $45.00 |
| Upper quartile | $45.76 | $95,180 | $51.90 |
| Top 10% | $50.21 | $104,440 | $65.06 |
Registered Nurse pay by metro area in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Kentucky median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39.80 | $82,780 | 8,110 | 4% above | $42.85 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $39.04 | $81,200 | 17,300 | 2% above | $41.95 |
| Owensboro, KY | $38.23 | $79,510 | 1,660 | in line with | $43.14 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38.05 | $79,140 | 860 | 1% below | $42.01 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37.21 | $77,400 | 1,630 | 3% below | $43.23 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $36.84 | $76,620 | 1,640 | 4% below | $40.85 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Registered Nurse pay in states next to Kentucky
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $41.54 | $86,410 | 8% above Kentucky |
| Indiana | $38.82 | $80,740 | 1% above Kentucky |
| Missouri | $38.35 | $79,770 | in line with Kentucky |
| Ohio | $39.06 | $81,250 | 2% above Kentucky |
| Tennessee | $38.00 | $79,030 | 1% below Kentucky |
| Virginia | $42.70 | $88,820 | 11% above Kentucky |
| West Virginia | $38.46 | $79,990 | in line with Kentucky |
What employers are posting in Kentucky
- 44roles with published pay
- $36.75median pay per hour
- $30–$45typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| CommonSpirit Health | 41 | $36.75 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 2 | $54.19 |
| Department of War Education Activity | 1 | $47.95 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 44 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Registered Nurse jobs in Kentucky · Registered Nurse salary nationwide · Kentucky state guide · Kentucky licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Kentucky?
The median is $38.42 per hour, about $79,910 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $30.38 and the top 10% earn over $50.21 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Kentucky city pays registered nurses the most?
Among Kentucky metro areas, Lexington-Fayette, KY has the highest median at $39.80 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Kentucky rank for registered nurse pay?
Kentucky ranks 39th of 50 states by median registered nurse pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay registered nurses? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
590+ Registered Nurse roles in Kentucky, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RN pay reportKentucky · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Veterans Health AdministrationLexington, KY · 2 postings$54.19/ hr$38–$71
- Insight Global, LLCCovington, KY · 2 wage offers$39.56/ hr$38–$41
- CommonSpirit HealthLEXINGTON, KY · 41 postings$36.75/ hr$27–$56
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
44 RN postings with published pay in Kentucky, 39 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 44 RN roles
- RN Home HealthPermanent$35.53–$52.85/ hour
- Registered Nurse - Progressive Care UnitPermanent$78k–$145k/ year
+ 42 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.