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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurse practitioners in the U.S. earn a mean annual salary of [career=”Nurse Practitioners” source=”0″ state=”National”]. Kentucky’s annual mean wage for nurse practitioners is 12% lower at [career=”Nurse Practitioners” source=”0″]. Remember, this is just the mean, so there is ample opportunity to increase your nurse practitioner salary in Kentucky.
Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Kentucky
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 170 | $106,860 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 70 | $103,450 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 820 | $106,610 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,380 | $117,420 |
| Owensboro, KY | 130 | $107,480 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Kentucky
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 290 | $102,010 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 450 | $104,260 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 400 | $111,540 |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 350 | $94,580 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Increasing Nurse Practitioner Salary in Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is home to over 4,200 nurse practitioner jobs and the profession is growing. Employment for nurse practitioners in KY is projected to grow 22.3% from 2018 to 2028 (BLS Employment Projections). Whether you’ve already begun practicing or are just starting out, increasing nurse practitioner salary in Kentucky is probably something you’ve wondered about as a nurse practitioner in “The Bluegrass State.”
Through Education
Kentucky Nurse Practitioners only need an MSN to be licensed, but many go on to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to increase their opportunities and earning potential. This can be done in one of two ways: BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. Both are great options.
The University of Kentucky offers both a BSN-DNP and an MSN-DNP, as does Murray State University. Frontier Nursing University has a Post-Master’s DNP as well as an MSN with the option to transition into the DNP program. Find more options on the Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs page.
Post-MSN certificates are another educational option for the creation of leadership opportunities and higher salaries for nurse practitioners, especially since Kentucky is a reduced practice state. A few popular options in Kentucky include:
- Postgraduate Executive Leadership Certificate Program at the University of Kentucky
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate at Western Kentucky University
Kentucky nurse practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 14 contact hours of approved continuing education by October 31st every year to renew their licenses. Increase your desirability to employers by taking courses in topics that are relevant to today’s societal issues—issues like suicide prevention, domestic violence, immunizations, and more. The Kentucky Board of Nursing maintains a list of approved CE providers.
If You Decide to Move On
As a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, Kentucky nurse practitioners can go to any of the other 38 NLC jurisdictions to practice without having to obtain additional licenses. Check out the average nurse practitioner salary by state before deciding to relocate for the purposes of furthering your nurse practitioner career. If your current life situation doesn’t tie you down to one place, consider traveling and taking a locum tenens assignment, which often provides a higher pay rate and paid housing.
With a bit of research, time, and effort, you will discover that increasing nurse practitioner salary in Kentucky is well within your reach.