Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Kentucky: $66,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,948/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,970 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($67,344), Louisville/Jefferson County ($64,460), Owensboro ($62,180).
In Kentucky, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is projected to be $66,948, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a -1.6% difference. The salary distribution across the state shows significant variation; for instance, LPNs in Louisville can expect to earn around $71,183, while those in Ashland are projected to make only $58,343, resulting in a gap of $12,840. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Kentucky requires LPNs to hold a valid nursing license, which necessitates completion of an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Additionally, the state’s scope of practice laws influence job responsibilities and opportunities in different regions. With an annual growth rate of 5.70%, the job market for LPNs is expected to strengthen, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. The five most significant cities for LPN employment in 2026 are Louisville at $71,183, Louisville/Jefferson County at $68,134, Owensboro at $65,724, Paducah at $65,597, and Lexington at $64,984, illustrating the varied opportunities across the state.
Kentucky Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $46,623 (lowest entry-level) to $95,315 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky licensed practical nurses earn 1.65% less than the national median ($-1,123/year difference).
Kentucky Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Kentucky range from $54,458 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,837 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,948. The Kentucky median is $1,123 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.19/hr. Approximately 4,948 licensed practical nurses are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,832
2025 BLS Actual
$63,338
2026 Current Est.
$66,948
2019–2027 Growth
+57.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,724 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,372 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.3% from $44,832 (2019) to $63,338 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,933 (57.84%) 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 5.70% 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashland | $58,343 |
| Murray | $61,066 |
| Jeffersontown | $61,981 |
| Madisonville | $62,201 |
| Georgetown | $62,433 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $71,183 | 89.3 | $79,712 |
| Paducah | $65,597 | 86.084 | $76,201 |
| Owensboro | $65,724 | 88.61 | $74,172 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $68,134 | 93.074 | $73,204 |
| Independence | $64,774 | 89.3 | $72,535 |
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) | $54,458 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,948 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,837 |
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 | $71,183 |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $68,134 |
| 3 | Owensboro | $65,724 |
| 4 | Paducah | $65,597 |
| 5 | Lexington | $64,984 |
| 6 | Independence | $64,774 |
| 7 | Florence | $64,698 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown | $64,562 |
| 9 | Covington | $64,424 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $64,303 |
| 11 | Bowling Green | $64,297 |
| 12 | Richmond | $64,287 |
| 13 | Frankfort | $63,958 |
| 14 | Henderson | $63,851 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $63,624 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $62,653 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $62,433 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $62,201 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $61,981 |
| 20 | Murray | $61,066 |
| 21 | Ashland | $58,343 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Kentucky?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov