Travel Nurse Pay in Kentucky
Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for Kentucky. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Calculate Your Pay in Kentucky
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in Kentucky, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in KY.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$418
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,121
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,578
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,156
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,313
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,121
per week
Taxes
$418
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kentucky
$850
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,120
Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.
Find apartments under $850/month in Louisville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Kentucky
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kentucky's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.3 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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Average Travel Nurse Pay in Kentucky
These are average pay rates for travel nurses in Kentucky. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.
Hourly Rate
$40/hr
Weekly Gross
$1,600
Annual
$83,200
GSA Per Diem Rates for Kentucky
Lodging
$98/night
Meals
$59/day
Incidentals
$5/day
These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in Kentucky.
Tax Information for Kentucky
Cost of Living in Kentucky
Cost of Living Index
89.7
Below national average
Housing
Low
Utilities
Low
Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in Kentucky
These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in Kentucky. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.
Louisville
Avg Pay: $42/hr
Est. Rent: $850/mo
View city guide →
Lexington
Avg Pay: $41/hr
Est. Rent: $850/mo
View city guide →
Bowling Green
Avg Pay: $40/hr
Est. Rent: $850/mo
View city guide →
View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.
Kentucky Pay by Nursing Specialty
Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for Kentucky:
ICU
~$44/hr in KY
Very High DemandER
~$43/hr in KY
Very High DemandOR
~$45/hr in KY
High DemandLabor & Delivery
~$42/hr in KY
High DemandMed-Surg
~$40/hr in KY
Very High DemandPACU
~$43/hr in KY
High DemandTop Hospitals in Kentucky
- Norton Healthcare
- Baptist Health
- University of Kentucky Hospital
Nursing License Requirements for Kentucky
Cost of Living in Kentucky
Average 1BR Rent
$850/mo
Cost of Living Index
89.7
National avg = 100
Housing Cost
Low
Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in Kentucky. Consider that rent in Kentucky is lower than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Kentucky?
Travel nurses in Kentucky typically earn between $35 and $50 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $40/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $44-59 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for Kentucky?
The GSA per diem rates for Kentucky are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
Is Kentucky tax-friendly for travel nurses?
Kentucky has a state income tax rate of 5%, making it relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.
What is the cost of living in Kentucky?
The cost of living index in Kentucky is 89.7, which is below the national average. Housing costs are low, and utilities are low.
Do I need a separate license to work in Kentucky?
Kentucky is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional licensing. The license costs $200 and typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.