How much does a registered nurse make in Kentucky?
$81,040a year
Median yearly pay for registered nurses in Kentucky. That is $38.96 an hour or $6,753 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.96
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among states
- 42 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 50,300
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,170Median: $81,040Highest 10%: $111,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,170 | $30.85 | |
| 25th | $75,670 | $36.38 | |
| Median | $81,040 | $38.96 | |
| 75th | $97,200 | $46.73 | |
| 90th | $111,800 | $53.73 |
Cities in Kentucky
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Louisville, KY | $84,850 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $83,650 |
| Huntington, WV | $81,010 |
| Paducah, KY | $79,920 |
| Clarksville, TN | $79,450 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,120 |
| Lexington, KY | $79,040 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $77,930 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for registered nurses.
| 39. South Carolina | $82,360 |
| 40. Missouri | $81,780 |
| 41. Tennessee | $81,500 |
| 42. Kentucky | $81,040 |
| 43. North Dakota | $80,730 |
| 44. Louisiana | $80,230 |
| 45. West Virginia | $80,130 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly pay in Kentucky is $38.96 ($81,040 a year).
Do registered nurses make more in Kentucky than the national average?
No: $81,040 against $97,550 nationally, 17% less.
Where does Kentucky rank for registered nurse pay?
Kentucky ranks 42 of 51 states.
Which city in Kentucky pays registered nurses the most?
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, with a median of $84,850 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.