Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Kentucky
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Kentucky earn a median of $60,460 a year ($29.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,220 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $64,400. Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 4.3 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,460, close to the median.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| 25th percentile | $54,290 | $26.10 |
| Median | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| 75th percentile | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,220 | $35.20 |
| Average (mean) | $60,460 | $29.07 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,038.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,519.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,325.38 |
| Weekly | $1,162.69 |
| Hourly | $29.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $64,460 | 2,850 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,180 | 6,400 |
| Owensboro, KY | $62,180 | 170 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $62,060 | 300 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $61,480 | 970 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $61,080 | 200 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,830 | 250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $58,260 | 630 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $54,540 | 1,390 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Paramedic | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Kentucky?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Kentucky is $60,460 a year, or $29.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Kentucky earn at least $73,220 a year. The top 25% earn $65,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,420 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $54,290 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Kentucky?
About 8,570 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.