Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Independence, KY: $39.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Independence, KY runs $39.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,601 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, KY, registered nurses earn a median hourly pay of $39.74, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39. This disparity highlights the city's unique economic landscape, affecting both full-time and part-time positions. For part-time nurses working three days a week, which typically amounts to 24 hours, the hourly wage can provide a solid income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. The hourly range for registered nurses in Independence spans from $28.96 for entry-level positions to $54.66 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of roles across various healthcare settings like hospital floors, ICUs, and outpatient clinics. These rates derive from annual salary data, offering a snapshot of earnings in a profession that's critical to the community's health services.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.96 | $231.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.93 | $263.44 |
| Median (P50) | $39.74 | $317.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.45 | $363.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.66 | $437.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $39.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.74/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, KY can expect to earn approximately $82,668 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,693. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.76 | $6,889 | $82,668 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.86 | $4,133 | $49,601 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.90 | $2,756 | $33,067 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Independence) | $39.74 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Independence, KY earn a median of $82,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.54% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $83,328.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.74/hr = $49,601/year (purchasing power: $55,544).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,668/year (purchasing power: $92,573).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Independence grew 33.1% from $28.36/hr (2019) to $37.74/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Independence
For those considering a part-time role, a registered nurse's annual income working 24 hours a week would total approximately $49,657, providing a sustainable option compared to a full-time commitment. Many nurses also explore per-diem opportunities, which can yield pay ranging from $50 to $80 per hour, depending on their specialty. Furthermore, travel nurse contracts can be lucrative, with earnings ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, while crisis-rate contracts can reach extraordinary heights of $5,000 to $8,000. In Independence, compensation varies significantly across employer types, with hospitals often offering benefits that lower hourly wages may lack. Nurses frequently weigh the advantages of steady employment with health insurance against the potential higher pay of per diem positions. Practical negotiation strategies can enhance a nurse's desired outcome, particularly in a lower cost-of-living area like Independence, where understanding the local market dynamics is essential for making informed financial decisions.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Independence in 2026?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Independence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Independence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov