Nurse Practitioner Salary in Paducah, KY: $128,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Paducah, KY earns a median $128,485/year (≈ $61.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $149,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, Kentucky, the projected nurse practitioner salary in 2026 is set at $128,485, reflecting a competitive range between $103,233 at the lower end (P10) and $156,603 at the upper end (P90). This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcases how local job dynamics influence earnings for nurse practitioners. In Kentucky, the state has notably moved towards full-practice authority, significantly impacting compensation potential. While this median salary trails the national average of $136,864 by approximately 6.12%, the specific needs within the Paducah job market, including various healthcare settings, can create favorable opportunities for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,233 | $49.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,229 | $52.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,485 | $61.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,878 | $66.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,603 | $75.29 |
Median Salary Position
6.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,370 (2026 est.). At $128,485, the local median is 6.12% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paducah Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Paducah median: $128,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $127,213 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -6.12% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Paducah, KY earn a median of $128,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.12% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.00% above the Kentucky state average of $127,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $128,485 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,096
2025 BLS Actual
$124,200
2026 Current Est.
$128,485
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,918 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $103,096 (2019) to $124,200 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,822 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $103,233 – $108,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,229 – $128,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,485 – $137,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,878 – $156,603 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Paducah
With 110 nurse practitioners currently employed in the area, Paducah offers a relatively robust job market for advanced practice nursing. The cost-of-living index stands at 86.084, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the purchasing power is more favorable in this region. Notably, primary care practices and hospital outpatient clinics are among the highest-paying employers, with specialty clinics and telehealth platforms also providing viable pay options. The disparity in earnings is influenced by factors such as the focus on specialty populations, like psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), who typically command higher pay due to increased demand. To maximize pay, nurse practitioners in Paducah might consider pursuing additional certifications or specializing in high-demand areas, thereby enhancing their marketability and potential income.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $124,200 for nurse practitionersin the Paducah 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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