Registered Nurse Salary in Kentucky

Compare live registered nurse pay signals and active healthcare openings in Kentucky.

Generated from 24 active jobs and 11 listed-pay samples in this market.

Average salary

$163,176

Hourly average

$78.45/hr

Low

$163,176

High

$163,176

Vs national

+66%

Salary distribution

Mean, median, and range in Kentucky

11 pay samples
Low $163,176
Median $163,176
Mean $163,176
High $163,176
Low sample$163,176
Median$163,176
Mean$163,176
High sample$163,176

Purchasing power

Salary vs cost of living

Local salary$163,176
National benchmark$98,430
Purchasing power$166,506

Because local costs are lower, this salary can feel closer to this amount in an average-cost city.

Local average$163,176
National benchmark$98,430
Benchmark sourceBLS OEWS May 2025
Estimated local cost level98 cents per national $1
Purchasing power$166,506
Estimated rent share8 cents of each gross-pay dollar

Compare another market

Does Kentucky pay stretch further?

Compare Registered Nurse pay with local cost levels included.

Here

$163,176 adjusted

Compared with

$84,571 adjusted

RN Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level

0-2 years

$133,804

$117,487$146,858

Mid Level

3-5 years

$163,176

$146,858$179,494

Experienced

6-10 years

$184,389

$166,440$202,338

Senior

10+ years

$212,129

$189,284$236,605

What Affects RN Pay in Kentucky?

Shift Differentials

  • Day ShiftBase pay
  • Evening Shift+$2-4/hr
  • Night Shift+$4-8/hr
  • Weekend+$3-6/hr

Location Factors

  • Rural areas may offer higher pay due to staffing shortages.
  • Hospital systems typically pay more than private clinics.
  • Travel RN positions offer premium rates.
  • Cost-of-living adjustments can improve purchasing power.

RN Benefits & Top Employers in Kentucky

Common Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision benefits vary by employer
  • Shift differential opportunities may be available
  • Sign-on and relocation incentives vary by facility
  • Continuing education or certification support may be available

Market summary

Registered Nurse pay in Kentucky is estimated from live JibJob openings with listed compensation. Use this guide to compare pay alongside current employer demand before applying.

This generated salary page requires at least 10 active jobs and 3 usable salary samples in the market, so low-inventory role and city combinations are not published.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky?
The current JibJob estimate for Registered Nurse roles in Kentucky is based on 11 listed-pay job samples across 24 active openings.
Are Registered Nurse jobs hiring in Kentucky?
Yes. JibJob is currently tracking 24 active registered nurse openings in Kentucky.

Data Sources & Methodology

The data presented on this page is compiled from multiple authoritative sources to provide accurate and up-to-date information about healthcare careers and cost of living.

Last updated: 2026-06-16T04:09:12.239Z

Salary data represents averages and may vary based on experience, employer, and specific position. Cost of living indices are relative to the national average of 100.