RateOrchard
DATA PROFILE · 2024

Registered Nurses salary in Kentucky

Steadymarket
+50%offers
-9.7%wages
heat42/100

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 27, 2026
Median annual$79,910
Mean annual$83,900
Range (10th to 90th)$63,180 to $104,430
Kentucky employment48,170
State vs national-15.4% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Kentucky registered nurses fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$63,18025TH$72,450MEDIAN$79,91075TH$95,19090TH$104,430

The middle 50% of workers earn between $72,450 and $95,190, with a median of $79,910.

Real disclosed salaries

Registered Nurses in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 11 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $78,749. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level I — entry2$65,551
Level II — qualified3$76,232
Level III — experienced3$85,821

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
Insight Global, LLCRN Float Pool II9$78,749
University of KentuckyPatient Care Quality Nurse2$65,551

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $78,749
    CovingtonDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-362072
  • Patient Care Quality Nurse at University of Kentucky
    $64,584
    LexingtonWage Level IDecided Dec 31, 2024I-200-24355-564663
  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $78,749
    CovingtonDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-362074
  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $78,749
    CovingtonDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-361781
  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $76,232
    CovingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-103936
  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $76,232
    CovingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-103935
  • RN Float Pool II at Insight Global, LLC
    $76,232
    CovingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-103938
  • RN Float Pool “ Bachelors Degree Nursing at Insight Global, LLC
    $85,821
    CovingtonWage Level IIIDecided Mar 13, 2025I-200-25066-753810

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

By seniority

Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Kentucky

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Pay by industry

Registered Nurses in Kentucky, by industry

Median offered wage across 11 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $78,749.

IndustryLargest employerFilingsMedian offer
Professional servicesInsight Global, LLC9$78,749
EducationUniversity of Kentucky2$65,551

Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.

Median annual wage, Kentucky2023 to 2024
$77,8302023$79,9102024

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Psychology

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5
  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.2 / 5
  • Deductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Social Perceptiveness

    Technical

    4.1 / 5
  • Problem Sensitivity

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Speaking

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Record patients' medical information and vital signs.

  2. 02

    Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.

  3. 03

    Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.

  4. 04

    Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.

  5. 05

    Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.

  6. 06

    Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.

  7. 07

    Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.

  8. 08

    Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

+4.9%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Average growth

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Top metros in Kentucky

Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.

Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Kentucky?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Kentucky is $79,910.
How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
The Kentucky median is -15.4% versus the BLS national figure of $94,511.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Kentucky?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,180 and the 90th-percentile at $104,430, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Registered Nurses?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.