Registered Nurse Salary in Richmond, KY: $82,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Richmond, KY earns a median $82,041/year (≈ $39.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $91,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The registered nurse salary in Richmond, KY, is projected to average $82,041 in 2026, which is about 20.14% lower than the national median of $102,730 for registered nurses. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicate a salary range that spans from $58,392 at the 10th percentile to $108,714 at the 90th percentile. This diversity in earnings reflects the various levels of experience, specialization, and institution type a nurse may encounter in Richmond. Nurses with additional certifications, such as CCRN or CEN, can expect to command higher base pay, enhancing their earning potential. A concentrated market with specialized roles sees the highest compensation, signaling a competitive environment for qualified RNs in the area.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,392 | $28.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,208 | $32.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,041 | $39.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,094 | $44.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,714 | $52.27 |
Median Salary Position
20.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, KY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,322 (2026 est.). At $82,041, the local median is 20.14% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Richmond median: $82,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $83,290 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.14% less |
Registered Nurses in Richmond, KY earn a median of $82,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.14% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $83,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,041 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,538
2025 BLS Actual
$77,904
2026 Current Est.
$82,041
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,538 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,159 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,863 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,904 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,397 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $58,538 (2019) to $77,904 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,397 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,859 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $58,392 – $67,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,208 – $82,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,041 – $93,094 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,094 – $108,714 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's job market for registered nurses presently employs only five individuals, illustrating a more niche sector that is sensitive to shifts in healthcare demands. The city's cost-of-living index of 89.3 indicates a lower-than-average expense compared to national rates, which can positively influence take-home pay for nurses. Among local employers, hospital systems—particularly those offering specialized care in acute settings—tend to offer the highest salaries. Nurses seeking maximum compensation should consider positions with shift differentials, which can add $3 to $7 per hour for night shifts and $3 to $5 for weekends, along with opportunities in areas like traveling nursing, where premium pay is often tied to short-term assignments. Obtaining specialty certifications and pursuing positions in high-demand sectors can significantly enhance overall earnings in this unique market.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $77,904 for registered nursesin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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