Kentucky ranks 40th of 51 states and D.C. for registered nurses pay, trailing top-paying California ($140,330) by $60,420 — a 76% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $63,180 to $104,430 — a $41,250 spread, 40% tighter than the national $69,290 range.
Kentucky employs roughly 1.5% of all registered nurses in the country (48,170 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $63,180 | $30.38 |
| 25th percentile | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| 75th percentile | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Mean (average) | $83,900 | $40.34 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $79,910 | n/a |
| California | $140,330 | +76% |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | +71% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | +55% |
| Washington | $112,180 | +40% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | +39% |
| New York | $105,600 | +32% |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 | +31% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | +29% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | $79,800 | 610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,080 | 1,700 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $80,320 | 910 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $79,390 | 1,140 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,330 | 790 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $80,610 | 440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in Kentucky?
The mean registered nurses salary in Kentucky is $83,900 per year. The median (middle) salary is $79,910 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in Kentucky?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $63,180 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $72,450 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $104,430 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $95,190 per year.
How does the Kentucky Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in Kentucky is $79,910, which is -15% below national average of $93,600.