NICU Nurse salary in Kentucky
A nicu nurse in Kentucky earns an estimated $88,550 a year ($42.57/hr) — about 14% below the U.S. average, with most between $71,890 and $95,340. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
NICU Nurse — Kentucky
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$88,550
-14% vs nationalHourly
$42.57/hr
- Typical range
- $71,890–$95,340
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $128,010
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $62,460
- Newer nurses
NICU Nurse pay by city in Kentucky
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $90,600 | $43.56 |
NICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Kentucky compares to states with similar nicu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Kentucky
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nicu nurse pay in Kentucky
Pay below the national median; low cost of living. For a nicu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Kentucky figure adjusts the national RN average of $102,960 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.86× (about 14% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Kentucky wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Kentucky, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Kentucky make this page more precise over time.
NICU Nurse salary in Kentucky — FAQ
- How much does a nicu nurse make in Kentucky?
- A nicu nurse in Kentucky earns an estimated $88,550 a year — about $42.57 an hour, with most between $71,890 and $95,340. That's about 14% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Kentucky's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Kentucky a good state for nicu nurses?
- For pay, Kentucky sits about 14% below the national average for nicu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $88,550 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Kentucky pays nicu nurses the most?
- Among Kentucky metros we track, Louisville tends to have the highest estimated pay for nicu nurses, at roughly $90,600 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Kentucky nicu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a nicu nurse is about $102,960 a year, versus an estimated $88,550 in Kentucky — about 14% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- 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 for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 0.86 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nicu nurse pay adjusted for Kentucky. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.