Nurse Practitioner Salary in Kentucky: $122,870 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in Kentucky earn a median of $122,870 per year — $59.07 an hour — $9,430 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #49 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Kentucky NPs earn between $95,710 and $162,960. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Kentucky NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Kentucky NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in Kentucky
The median NP in Kentucky out-earns the median RN by $41,830 per year (52%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare Kentucky With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put Kentucky side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | Kentucky | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $122,870 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $59.07/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $95,710 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $132,720 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $162,960 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 4,770 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare Kentucky’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Kentucky?
NPs in Kentucky earn a median of $122,870 per year — $59.07 per hour — $9,430 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Kentucky #49 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in Kentucky?
The median NP in Kentucky earns $122,870 versus $81,040 for the median RN — a difference of $41,830 per year (52%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in Kentucky?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in Kentucky, the 10th percentile is $95,710 and the 25th percentile is $106,240. Most NPs move toward the $122,870 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in Kentucky?
4,770 nurse practitioners are employed in Kentucky per the BLS May 2025 estimates.