Registered Nurse Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $81,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $81,193/year (≈ $39.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $90,922 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,193, reflecting the competitive nature of healthcare compensation in the region. This figure is significantly below the national median of $102,730, indicating a regional pay disparity. The salary range for nurses in Hopkinsville shows substantial variation, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $56,728 and the highest 90% earning around $113,614. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for cost-of-living factors, highlight the influence of specialty certifications, such as CCRN and CEN, which can enhance base pay and overall earning potential. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, understanding this competitive edge remains crucial for nurses in Hopkinsville seeking to maximize their income.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,728 | $27.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,476 | $31.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,193 | $39.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,614 | $54.62 |
Median Salary Position
20.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,886 (2026 est.). At $81,193, the local median is 20.96% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hopkinsville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $81,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $83,360 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.96% less |
Registered Nurses in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $81,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.96% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $83,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $81,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,922 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,933
2025 BLS Actual
$77,099
2026 Current Est.
$81,193
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,265 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $57,933 (2019) to $77,099 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,571 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,728 – $65,476 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,476 – $81,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,193 – $91,250 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,250 – $113,614 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Hopkinsville
In terms of the job market, only six registered nurses are currently employed in Hopkinsville, suggesting a limited but potentially stable opportunity for those entering this field. The local cost-of-living index stands at 89.3, indicating that it is more affordable to live in Hopkinsville than the national average, which positively impacts nurses' purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems often provide the highest pay, particularly those with acute care, ICU, and emergency departments. Factors contributing to the variation in registered nurse pay in Hopkinsville include shift differentials for nights and weekends, the influence of specialty certification stipends, and the differences in pay structures between travel nursing and staff positions. Nurses may find it beneficial to pursue certifications or consider flexible scheduling, as these strategies can lead to enhanced earnings in this specific market.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $77,099 for registered nursesin the Hopkinsville metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hopkinsville 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