BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky

$60,460 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.07 per hour

▼ 9.8% below U.S. average42nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$60,460per year
Median$60,460per year
Hourly$29.07per hour
10th – 90th percentile$48,420 – $73,220per year

Licensed Practical Nurses Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,420
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$54,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$60,460
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$65,090
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$73,220

Half of Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky earn more than $60,460. The top 10% make $73,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,420.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states for Licensed Practical Nurses pay, at $60,460 per year (9.8% below the U.S. average of $67,050).
  • 8,570 people work as Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky — 1.3% of all U.S. Licensed Practical Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.03: Licensed Practical Nurses jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,420; the top 10% earn over $73,220.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.07 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $83,900.
  • Among healthcare jobs in Kentucky, Radiologists pays the most ($338,210).

Licensed Practical Nurses Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Licensed Practical Nurses here earn $60,460 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $60,460 is roughly equivalent to $72,843 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($62,150), Utah ($62,110), Ohio ($62,020) are the closest alternatives for Licensed Practical Nurses weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in Kentucky?

The average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in Kentucky is $60,460 per year (median $60,460), which is 9.8% below the national average of $67,050.

How does Kentucky rank for Licensed Practical Nurses pay?

Kentucky ranks 42nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($83,900/yr).

How much do entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky earn about $48,420 per year and the 25th percentile is $54,290.

How much do Licensed Practical Nurses make per hour in Kentucky?

About $29.07 per hour, based on the $60,460 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Licensed Practical Nurses work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 8,570 Licensed Practical Nurses jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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