Nurse Practitioner Salary in Kentucky: $127,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $127,223/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,467 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($134,083), Owensboro ($128,780), Ashland ($127,294).
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Kentucky can expect an average median salary of $127,224, which is approximately 7.0% lower than the national median of $136,864. The highest paying city in the state is Louisville, where salaries reach $138,709, while Bowling Green offers the lowest at $116,867, showcasing a salary gap of $21,842. This difference is influenced by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the presence of healthcare facilities. Kentucky’s nurse practitioners operate under specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact their ability to prescribe medications and practice independently. The demand for these professionals is driven by factors such as an aging population, healthcare accessibility, and ongoing shifts toward outpatient care. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.45%, the job market for nurse practitioners in Kentucky appears stable, supported by a total employment figure of 2,828. Key cities forecasted for growth include Owensboro with a salary of $133,223, Ashland at $131,686, Paducah at $128,485, and Lexington at $127,316. As healthcare needs continue to evolve, opportunities for nurse practitioners in the state are expected to expand.
Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $94,197 (lowest entry-level) to $189,041 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky nurse practitioners earn 7.04% less than the national median ($-9,641/year difference).
Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Kentucky range from $105,771 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $168,889 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,223. The Kentucky median is $9,641 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $61.17/hr. Approximately 2,828 nurse practitioners are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,334
2025 BLS Actual
$122,981
2026 Current Est.
$127,223
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,334 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,656 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 25.1% from $98,334 (2019) to $122,981 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,279 (33.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $116,867 |
| Murray | $118,996 |
| Elizabethtown | $119,526 |
| Jeffersontown | $120,780 |
| Madisonville | $121,206 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $138,709 | 89.3 | $155,329 |
| Owensboro | $133,223 | 88.61 | $150,348 |
| Paducah | $128,485 | 86.084 | $149,255 |
| Ashland | $131,686 | 89.3 | $147,465 |
| Independence | $126,220 | 89.3 | $141,344 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,771 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,223 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $168,889 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $138,709 |
| 2 | Owensboro | $133,223 |
| 3 | Ashland | $131,686 |
| 4 | Paducah | $128,485 |
| 5 | Lexington | $127,316 |
| 6 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $127,140 |
| 7 | Independence | $126,220 |
| 8 | Florence | $126,071 |
| 9 | Covington | $125,539 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $125,302 |
| 11 | Richmond | $125,272 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $124,630 |
| 13 | Henderson | $124,423 |
| 14 | Hopkinsville | $123,979 |
| 15 | Radcliff | $122,087 |
| 16 | Georgetown | $121,658 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $121,206 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | $120,780 |
| 19 | Elizabethtown | $119,526 |
| 20 | Murray | $118,996 |
| 21 | Bowling Green | $116,867 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Kentucky?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov