Kentucky's average registered nurse salary of $86,140 sits 15.1% below the national mean of $101,420, and it falls at the lower end of its regional peer group. Neighboring states like Virginia ($93,850) and Indiana ($89,150) pay meaningfully more on average. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from those markets, you may need to offset the pay gap with other elements of your compensation package.
Registered nurse salary in Kentucky (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Kentucky is $86,140 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $81,040 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Kentucky employs 50,300 registered nurses, and the $5,100 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Kentucky typically earn around $64,170, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $111,750 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Kentucky, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $81,040 |
Average Annual Salary | $86,140 |
vs. National Average | 15.1% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 50,300 employed registered nurses across Kentucky.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Kentucky
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $64,170 |
25th Percentile | $75,670 |
75th Percentile | $97,200 |
90th Percentile | $111,750 |
When setting an offer for a registered nurse in Kentucky, the $75,670 to $97,200 band covers the middle half of the market and gives you a defensible range for most mid-career hires. Roles requiring specialized clinical experience or leadership responsibilities will push compensation toward or beyond the $111,750 threshold at the 90th percentile.
Registered nurse salary by city in Kentucky
City | Average Annual Salary |
Louisville | $90,190 |
Lexington | $86,050 |
Bowling Green | $83,650 |
Elizabethtown | $83,380 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Kentucky, so budget accordingly based on where the role sits. Louisville carries the highest average at $90,190, which is $6,810 above Elizabethtown at $83,380. If you are hiring across multiple Kentucky markets, a single statewide rate will likely underpay candidates in Louisville or overpay relative to market in smaller metros.
How Kentucky compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Kentucky | $86,140 | $81,040 |
Virginia | $93,850 | $93,600 |
Indiana | $89,150 | $83,500 |
Ohio | $87,730 | $82,510 |
West Virginia | $86,970 | $80,130 |
Tennessee | $85,390 | $81,500 |
Kentucky sits at the lower end of this regional peer group, which makes it a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring compared to Virginia and Indiana. Ohio and West Virginia post averages within $2,000 of Kentucky, so compensation expectations are broadly similar across those three states. Virginia stands out as the highest-paying peer at $93,850 mean and $93,600 median, meaning candidates who have worked there may arrive with higher salary expectations.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Kentucky
How does Kentucky compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Kentucky?
Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Kentucky earn $111,750 per year. That threshold represents senior specialists and nurses in high-demand clinical roles. When budgeting for experienced hires, plan for offers in the $97,200 to $111,750 range as a realistic ceiling for most senior candidates.
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Kentucky?
The full documented range runs from $64,170 at the 10th percentile to $111,750 at the 90th percentile. The middle half of the market falls between $75,670 and $97,200, which is the most useful band for setting offers on mid-career hires. Where your candidate lands within that range depends on their experience level, specialty, and the specific demands of the role.
What is the average registered nurse salary in Kentucky?
The average registered nurse salary in Kentucky is $86,140 per year, with a median of $81,040. The $5,100 gap between those two figures tells you that a segment of higher-compensated nurses pulls the average above what most candidates actually earn. For budgeting purposes, the $81,040 median is the more grounded anchor for a typical hire.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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