Registered Nurse Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $82,060 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $82,060/year (≈ $39.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $91,892 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Nicholasville, KY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,060, reflecting local salary estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional pricing. The salary spectrum ranges from $58,698 at the 10th percentile to $108,574 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for lucrative earnings in this field. Notably, specialty certifications such as CCRN and CEN significantly enhance base pay, allowing experienced nurses to command higher salaries. When considering the median registered nurse pay in Nicholasville relative to the national median of $102,730, it becomes evident that local earnings sit about 20.12% below the national average, indicating a competitive market but with unique opportunities for upward mobility.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,698 | $28.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,264 | $32.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,432 | $43.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,574 | $52.20 |
Median Salary Position
20.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,876 (2026 est.). At $82,060, the local median is 20.12% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $82,060/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $83,309 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.12% less |
Registered Nurses in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $82,060 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.12% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $83,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,060 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,892 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,551
2025 BLS Actual
$77,922
2026 Current Est.
$82,060
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,551 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,986 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,878 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,060 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $58,551 (2019) to $77,922 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,866 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $58,698 – $67,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,264 – $82,060 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,060 – $91,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,432 – $108,574 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, the job market for registered nurses remains strong, with six RNs currently employed. The local cost-of-living index of 89.3 reflects more affordable living conditions, which can positively influence the buying power of nurses in the area. While various employers exist, including hospital systems and home health agencies, those focused on acute care, intensive care, and emergency departments tend to offer the most competitive salaries. Factors such as shift differentials, which can provide an additional $3 to $7 per hour for night and weekend shifts, as well as specialty stipends for certified nurses, create significant variances in compensation. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing specialty certifications and gaining experience in high-demand units can enhance a nurse's earning potential. Additionally, considering travel nursing opportunities can yield higher pay, especially as the demand for skilled nurses continues to rise in specialty markets throughout the region.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 $77,922 for registered nursesin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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