Salary Report for Kentucky Nurse Practitioners
Kentucky Rankings
Compare Kentucky to U.S.
Kentucky Nurse Practitioners earn an average of $106,080 which is 10% less than the national average salary of $118,040.
| Type | Kentucky | U.S. | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Wage | $51 | $56.75 | -10.13% |
| Average Annual Salary | $106,080 | $118,040 | -10.13% |
Salary Range by Education and Experience
In Kentucky, 50% of Nurse Practitioners earn between $95,750 and $119,480 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.
About 10% of Nurse Practitioners earn more than $130,630, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Nurse Practitioners.
Approximately 10% of Nurse Practitioners earn under $78,380, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Nurse Practitioners.
| Percent | Experience | Employed | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Less than a Year | 455 | Under $78,380 |
| 15% | 2 – 4 years | 682 | $78,380 – $95,750 |
| 25% | 5 – 9 years | 1,138 | $95,750 – $100,260 |
| 25% | 10 – 14 years | 1,138 | $100,260 – $119,480 |
| 15% | 15 – 20 years | 682 | $100,260 – $130,630 |
| 10% | 20+ years | 455 | Above $130,630 |
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living
After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky nurses earn about $118,155 per year which is less than the average U.S. nurse of $118,040.
Cost-of-living in Kentucky is 10% less than the national average, which means Kentucky residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.
More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.
Salary Compared to Related Professions
With an average annual salary of $106,080, Kentucky Nurse Practitioners tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($180,330), and Nurse Midwives ($109,560).
However, Nurse Practitioners tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($29,290), LPNs ($47,140), Registered Nurses ($67,260), and Nursing Instructors ($72,650).
| Title | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | $180,330 |
| Nurse Midwives | $109,560 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $106,080 |
| Nursing Instructors | $72,650 |
| Registered Nurses | $67,260 |
| LPNs | $47,140 |
| Nursing Assistants | $29,290 |
Projected Demand for Nurses in 2030
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Kentucky the three professions needing the most new nurses by 2030 are Registered Nurses (47,140), Nursing Assistants (23,610) and LPNs (10,270).
The three professions in Kentucky needing highest percentage new nurses by 2030 are Nurse Practitioners (54.5%), Nursing Instructors (20%) and Nurse Anesthetists (13%).
| Title | 2020 | 2030 | Change | Yearly Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 43,320 | 47,140 | 8.8% | 2,730 |
| Nursing Assistants | 21,730 | 23,610 | 8.7% | 2,920 |
| LPNs | 9,420 | 10,270 | 9% | 830 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 4,480 | 6,920 | 54.5% | 540 |
| Nursing Instructors | 650 | 780 | 20% | 80 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 230 | 260 | 13% | 20 |
| Nurse Midwives | 40 | 40 | 0% | 0 |
Salaries Ranked by Kentucky Cities
The average salary for Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky is $106,080. The top cities that pay Nurse Practitioners the most are East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($98,620), Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($111,860) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($107,600).
When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Nurse Practitioners the highest average annual salary are Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($130,040), South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($120,832) and West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($120,728).
The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Nurse Practitioners in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.
The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Nurse Practitioners salary will have in that area.
| Area | Average Salary | COL Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area | $111,860 | $130,040 | $18,180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $107,600 | $117,071 | $9,471 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $106,960 | $114,826 | $7,866 |
| Bowling Green | $104,020 | $116,549 | $12,529 |
| South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area | $103,940 | $120,832 | $16,892 |
| West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area | $103,850 | $120,728 | $16,878 |
| Owensboro | $102,690 | $113,898 | $11,208 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox | $100,990 | $112,398 | $11,408 |
| East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area | $98,620 | $114,648 | $16,028 |
Salary FAQ for Kentucky Nurse Practitioners
City and Rural Summaries
Bowling Green
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $104,020
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $116,549
Hourly Wage: $50.01
Currently Employed: 190
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.25
Bowling Green Salary Report
Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $111,860
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $130,040
Hourly Wage: $54
Currently Employed: 460
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.02
Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $98,620
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $114,648
Hourly Wage: $47.41
Currently Employed: 420
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.02
East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $100,990
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $112,398
Hourly Wage: $49
Currently Employed: 100
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.85
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Salary Report
Lexington-Fayette
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $106,960
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $114,826
Hourly Wage: $51.42
Currently Employed: 860
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.15
Lexington-Fayette Salary Report
Louisville/Jefferson County
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $107,600
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $117,071
Hourly Wage: $52
Currently Employed: 1,390
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.91
Louisville/Jefferson County Salary Report
Owensboro
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $102,690
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $113,898
Hourly Wage: $49.37
Currently Employed: 110
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.16
Owensboro Salary Report
South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $103,940
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $120,832
Hourly Wage: $50
Currently Employed: 320
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.02
South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Nurse Practitioners Salary: $103,850
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $120,728
Hourly Wage: $49.93
Currently Employed: 330
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.02
West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Official Data Sources for Nurse Practitioners: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data