How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Kentucky?

The estimated gap in Kentucky is about $10,070 a year, or roughly 12% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Kentucky figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Kentucky wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Kentucky's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Kentucky · KY

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Kentucky

In Kentucky, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $93,960 a year versus $83,890 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $10,070 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Kentucky.

ICU Nurse — Kentucky

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$93,960

-14% vs national

Hourly

$45.17/hr

Median $93,960

$66,400Middle 50%: $77,370–$108,220$132,410

Typical range: $77,370–$108,220; What most nurses earn
High end: $132,410; Top earners
Entry level: $66,400; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Kentucky

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$83,890

-14% vs national

Hourly

$40.33/hr

Median $83,890

$59,290Middle 50%: $69,080–$96,620$118,220

Typical range: $69,080–$96,620; What most nurses earn
High end: $118,220; Top earners
Entry level: $59,290; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Kentucky

ICU nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both roles are built on the same RN license and wage base. The edge reflects the ICU's higher patient acuity, lower nurse-to-patient ratios, and critical-care certifications such as the CCRN. The Kentucky figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Kentucky's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Kentucky — FAQ

Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Kentucky?: In Kentucky, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $93,960 a year versus $83,890 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $10,070 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Kentucky's local pay level.
How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Kentucky?: The estimated gap in Kentucky is about $10,070 a year, or roughly 12% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Kentucky figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Kentucky wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Kentucky's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Kentucky figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.86×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Kentucky. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.