Kentucky Travel Nurse Tax Calculator
Kentucky taxes travel nurse wages at 5% on top of federal and FICA — but your stipends stay tax-free within GSA limits. Estimate the full picture below.
Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates
5%
KY Income Tax
$0
Tax on Compliant Stipends
~$1,099/wk
Tax-Free Stipend Ceiling
$1,600/wk
Avg KY Package
Location & Filing
Pay Package
Tax Estimate Results
Your Tax Situation
Since Texas has no state income tax, you'll pay 5% Kentucky state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Weekly Gross
$3,420
Weekly Take-Home
$2,826
Contract Gross
$44,460
Contract Take-Home
$36,742
Tax Breakdown (13-Week Contract)
Tax Rate on Taxable Wages
29.0% + 7.65% FICA
Effective Rate on Total Pay
17.4%
Stipends (Tax-Free)
$23,400
* This is an estimate based on simplified tax brackets. Actual taxes depend on total annual income, deductions, filing status, and other factors. Stipends are tax-free only if you maintain a valid tax home. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Kentucky Tax Questions
How much state tax do travel nurses pay in Kentucky?
Kentucky's state income tax is 5%, applied to your taxable wages (not your tax-free stipends). On a typical KY taxable base of $1,440/week, that's roughly $72/week in state tax — about $936 over a 13-week contract. Stipends within GSA limits owe no state tax.
Do I file a Kentucky tax return as a travel nurse?
Generally yes — Kentucky taxes income earned within the state by nonresidents, so a contract there usually means filing a KY nonresident return. Your home state typically credits taxes paid to Kentucky, preventing double taxation. Keep your pay stubs; the state allocation matters.
Are stipends taxed in Kentucky?
No — housing and meal stipends are excluded from both federal and state taxation when you maintain a qualifying tax home and your stipends stay within the GSA per diem ceiling for the assignment location (about $1,099/week combined at Kentucky's average rates). Fail the tax home test and the whole stipend becomes taxable wages.
What's the effective tax rate on a Kentucky travel contract?
Because stipends are untaxed, effective rates on the whole package are much lower than wage-only jobs. A typical KY package of $1,600/week with $160 in stipends often nets an effective total-package rate of 12–20% including the 5% state tax. Run your exact split in the calculator above.
Estimates for planning only — not tax advice. Multi-state situations, reciprocity agreements, and local taxes vary; travel nurses with complex situations should use a travel-nurse-specialized preparer.