Nurse Practitioner Salary in Covington, KY: $125,539 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Covington, KY earns a median $125,539/year (≈ $60.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Covington's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $140,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, KY, the anticipated median annual nurse practitioner salary is $125,539 for 2026. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, showcasing a salary range from $98,000 at the 10th percentile to $155,504 at the 90th percentile. Specialties such as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) tend to earn more than their family nurse practitioner (FNP) and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) counterparts, driven by the heightened demand for mental health services in the area. Given the evolving healthcare landscape and local economic factors, Covington's job market holds potential for diverse nursing roles, especially as it accommodates varied population health needs.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,000 | $47.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,885 | $53.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,539 | $60.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,301 | $69.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,504 | $74.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, KY, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,504 (2026 est.). At $125,539, the local median is 8.27% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Covington median: $125,539/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $127,192 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -8.27% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Covington, KY earn a median of $125,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.27% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $127,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $125,539 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,581 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,732
2025 BLS Actual
$121,352
2026 Current Est.
$125,539
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,438 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,694 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,812 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,539 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $100,732 (2019) to $121,352 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,138 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $98,000 – $111,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,885 – $125,539 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,539 – $144,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,301 – $155,504 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Covington
Despite there being only nine nurse practitioners currently employed in Covington, the earning potential is bolstered by the region's relatively low cost-of-living index of 89.3, which suggests that take-home pay affords more purchasing power compared to more expensive markets. Employers across diverse settings—including hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and retail clinics—offer variable compensation, with specialty clinics generally commanding higher salaries. Factors influencing the pay spectrum for nurse practitioners include the focus on specific populations, the state's approach to full-practice authority, and any additional income from telehealth opportunities. To maximize nurse practitioner pay in Covington, practitioners should consider obtaining specialty certifications and exploring both employed and independent work options. Networking within local healthcare facilities can also yield better job opportunities and compensation pathways.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,352 for nurse practitionersin the Covington metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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