Advantis salary data
Updated today · 135 open Kentucky jobs
Travel Nurse Salary in Kentucky
Kentucky's lower living and housing costs can make weekly pay go further, but salary still varies by specialty and market. Compare travel nurse Kentucky salary using live salary data from travel nursing jobs, then factor in state taxes and estimated pay after rent.
Median weekly · all specialties
$2,178
Pay after rent / mo
≈ $8,331/mo
$2,178/wk × 52 ÷ 12 − $1,105 2-BR rent benchmark. Before taxes. (HUD FMR FY2026.)
State income tax
3.5% flat
Specialties hiring across Kentucky
Louisville and Lexington carry most Kentucky demand, anchored by Norton, UofL Health, and UK HealthCare, and specialty drives the rate more than the city. The units taking travelers now are below.
Median weekly by specialty
Current open Kentucky contracts
1
Cath Lab
$2,842/wk
2
CVOR
$2,659/wk
3
NICU
$2,629/wk
4
Orthopedics
$2,529/wk
5
Operating Room
$2,515/wk
6
Oncology
$2,446/wk
7
Psych
$2,386/wk
Median weekly contract value per specialty, from open Advantis Kentucky contracts.
The spread of Kentucky travel rates
Louisville and Lexington anchor Kentucky pay, with the rest of the state running cheaper. Below: the weekly rate, its spread by specialty, and how Kentucky reads against the national midpoint.
Across all open Kentucky contracts
<$1.9k
$1.9–2.1k
$2.1–2.4k
$2.4–2.6k
$2.6–2.9k
$2.9k+
$2,178
Median weekly
$1,633–$3,153
Current range
Share of open Advantis Kentucky contracts by weekly-pay band.
How travel nurse salary in Kentucky compares
Same paycheck, very different economics. This ranks top travel markets by what a contract is worth after typical rent, alongside each state demand outlook. No-income-tax states are marked so you can weigh them separately. States with their own salary page link through.
Filter
| State | Median weekly pay | Market outlook | Compact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky You're here | $2,178 | 3.5% flat | Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Rhode Island | $2,605 | up to 5.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Alaska | $2,438 | No | Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Nevada | $2,429 | No | Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Vermont | $2,375 | up to 8.75% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Maine | $2,355 | 5.8%–9.15% (incl. 2% surtax) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Jersey | $2,486 | up to 10.75% (graduated) | Among 10 states with the largest projected RN shortage by 2036 NJ Collaborating Center for Nursing | Yes ✓ | |
| Wisconsin | $2,243 | up to 7.65% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| West Virginia | $2,181 | up to ~4.58% (graduated) | Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Nebraska | $2,219 | up to 4.55% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Iowa | $2,197 | 3.8% flat | Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Illinois | $2,301 | 4.95% flat | ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center | No | |
| North Dakota | $2,189 | up to 2.5% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Mexico | $2,229 | up to 5.9% (graduated) | Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Minnesota | $2,267 | up to 9.85% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Montana | $2,274 | up to 5.65% (graduated) | Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Wyoming | $2,160 | No | Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Connecticut | $2,363 | up to 6.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Michigan | $2,192 | 4.25% flat | 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024 | No | |
| Idaho | $2,206 | 5.3% flat | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Missouri | $2,138 | up to 4.7% (graduated) | Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Oregon | $2,271 | up to 9.9% (graduated) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Washington | $2,330 | None on wages | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Massachusetts | $2,439 | 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%) | Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Ohio | $2,138 | 2.75% flat | Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Hampshire | $2,314 | No | ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Indiana | $2,127 | 2.95% flat | ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen | Yes ✓ | |
| California | $2,450 | up to 13.3% (graduated) | ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022 | No | |
| Oklahoma | $2,088 | up to 4.5% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Pennsylvania | $2,168 | 3.07% flat | ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New York | $2,370 | up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local | ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL | No | |
| Arkansas | $2,060 | up to 3.7% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Kansas | $2,068 | up to 5.58% (graduated) | Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Louisiana | $2,062 | 3.0% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Arizona | $2,184 | 2.5% flat | Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook | Yes ✓ | |
| Colorado | $2,117 | 4.4% flat | ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer | Yes ✓ | |
| Virginia | $2,086 | up to 5.75% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Mississippi | $1,910 | 4.0% flat | Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Alabama | $1,915 | up to 5.0% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Georgia | $2,020 | 4.99% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| North Carolina | $1,969 | 3.99% flat | ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps | Yes ✓ | |
| Maryland | $2,036 | up to 6.5% (graduated) + county | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~16% by 2038 (~10,890 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Tennessee | $1,878 | No | 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| South Carolina | $1,880 | 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Florida | $2,006 | No | 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| Texas | $1,896 | No | 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals | Yes ✓ | |
| Hawaii | $2,104 | up to 11.0% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Utah | $1,855 | 4.45% flat | Above balance; fast growth keeps demand elevated HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ |
Kentucky
You're here
Median weekly pay $2,178
Compact ✓
State tax 3.5% flat
Outlook: Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Rhode Island
Median weekly pay $2,605
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Alaska
Median weekly pay $2,438
Compact No
State tax No
Outlook: Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,429
Compact No
State tax No
Outlook: Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Vermont
Median weekly pay $2,375
Compact ✓
State tax up to 8.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Maine
Median weekly pay $2,355
Compact ✓
State tax 5.8%–9.15% (incl. 2% surtax)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,486
Compact ✓
State tax up to 10.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 states with the largest projected RN shortage by 2036 NJ Collaborating Center for Nursing
Median weekly pay $2,243
Compact ✓
State tax up to 7.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
West Virginia
Median weekly pay $2,181
Compact ✓
State tax up to ~4.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Nebraska
Median weekly pay $2,219
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.55% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Iowa
Median weekly pay $2,197
Compact ✓
State tax 3.8% flat
Outlook: Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,301
Compact No
State tax 4.95% flat
Outlook: ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center
North Dakota
Median weekly pay $2,189
Compact ✓
State tax up to 2.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
New Mexico
Median weekly pay $2,229
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.9% (graduated)
Outlook: Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,267
Compact No
State tax up to 9.85% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Montana
Median weekly pay $2,274
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Wyoming
Median weekly pay $2,160
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,363
Compact ✓
State tax up to 6.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,192
Compact No
State tax 4.25% flat
Outlook: 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024
Idaho
Median weekly pay $2,206
Compact ✓
State tax 5.3% flat
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,138
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,271
Compact No
State tax up to 9.9% (graduated)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,330
Compact ✓
State tax None on wages
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,439
Compact No
State tax 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,138
Compact ✓
State tax 2.75% flat
Outlook: Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
New Hampshire
Median weekly pay $2,314
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,127
Compact ✓
State tax 2.95% flat
Outlook: ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen
Median weekly pay $2,450
Compact No
State tax up to 13.3% (graduated)
Outlook: ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022
Median weekly pay $2,088
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,168
Compact ✓
State tax 3.07% flat
Outlook: ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,370
Compact No
State tax up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local
Outlook: ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL
Arkansas
Median weekly pay $2,060
Compact ✓
State tax up to 3.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,068
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Louisiana
Median weekly pay $2,062
Compact ✓
State tax 3.0% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,184
Compact ✓
State tax 2.5% flat
Outlook: Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook
Median weekly pay $2,117
Compact ✓
State tax 4.4% flat
Outlook: ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer
Median weekly pay $2,086
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Mississippi
Median weekly pay $1,910
Compact ✓
State tax 4.0% flat
Outlook: Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,915
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,020
Compact ✓
State tax 4.99% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,969
Compact ✓
State tax 3.99% flat
Outlook: ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps
Median weekly pay $2,036
Compact ✓
State tax up to 6.5% (graduated) + county
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~16% by 2038 (~10,890 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,878
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn.
Median weekly pay $1,880
Compact ✓
State tax 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,006
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn.
Median weekly pay $1,896
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals
Hawaii
Median weekly pay $2,104
Compact No
State tax up to 11.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Utah
Median weekly pay $1,855
Compact ✓
State tax 4.45% flat
Outlook: Above balance; fast growth keeps demand elevated HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
No states match those filters. Try removing one.
Market-outlook figures verified May 2026. Pay figures computed November 1, 2026.
See all Kentucky travel RN jobs →
Pay after rent is median weekly pay × 52 ÷ 12 minus a 2-BR rent benchmark built from HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent areas, before taxes; it is not take-home pay, and the rent benchmark is not a prediction of what you will pay. Tax rates are 2026 figures from the Tax Foundation, not tax advice. Compact status per NCSBN.
Kentucky pay across its metros
Louisville leads Kentucky's travel work, with Lexington, home to UK HealthCare, close behind and northern Kentucky, across the river from Cincinnati, adding volume. Costs run low across the state, with Louisville and Lexington only slightly above the rest.
Pikeville
$2,529
Louisville
$2,347
Prestonburg
$2,302
40475
$2,235
Lexington
$2,235
Elizabethtown
$2,216
Georgetown
$2,213
Per-metro median from open Advantis Kentucky contracts.
The two halves of a Kentucky weekly rate
A Kentucky weekly rate pairs a taxable base with non-taxable housing and meal stipends. Against the state's low rents, that stipend share covers more of the month than it would in a pricier market.
Hourly base, the wage portion of the rate
Housing stipend, a weekly housing allowance
Meals & incidentals, a daily meals allowance
The actual mix varies by contract, agency, and location.
How far a Kentucky paycheck goes
Kentucky holds one of the lower costs of living in the country, housing included, so a mid-range rate accomplishes more here than in most states. A flat state income tax applies to base pay. The figures below test a rate against local rent.
3.5% flat
State income tax
Applies to the taxable base; stipends are typically not taxed.
Compact ✓
Start on your license
Multistate license? No new application. Single-state license: apply by endorsement; processing time varies by board.
10.96 /1k
RN per 1,000 residents
Compared with the national average of 9.92.
Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand
HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Sustained demand keeps contracts open.
Sources: Tax Foundation (state income tax) · NCSBN (compact status) · BLS OEWS (RN workforce)
Top-paying Kentucky contracts open today
A live view of the highest weekly rates open across Kentucky, pulled from the Advantis feed. Specialty, metro, and start timing vary from one contract to the next.
Straight answers on Kentucky travel pay
How is Kentucky's travel market arranged?
Around two hubs and a river pocket. Louisville has the deepest bench of systems in Norton Healthcare, UofL Health, and Baptist Health, while Lexington leans academic around UK HealthCare, and northern Kentucky adds demand across the river from Cincinnati. Costs run low statewide, with the two cities only slightly above the rest, so market choice is about setting more than budget.
Is Kentucky licensing quick for compact nurses?
As quick as it gets. Kentucky has long been a compact member, so a home-state multistate license is valid from day one with nothing to file, leaving facility credentialing as the only pacing item. Endorsement is the route for non-compact licensees. Low friction and low costs together make Kentucky an easy schedule-filler between larger, longer-planned contracts.
What does Kentucky's flat tax mean in practice?
Moderate, predictable withholding. One flat rate applies to the taxable base, with the housing and meal share untaxed alongside a permanent tax home. Because the rate is middling and rents run low, the flat tax rarely changes an offer's ranking, and net pay holds up well against higher-paying, costlier markets. Compare Kentucky offers to each other on unit and city.
Louisville or Lexington: what's the real difference?
System depth versus academic focus. Louisville's three major networks post the wider range of units and volume, while Lexington concentrates teaching-hospital acuity at UK HealthCare with CHI Saint Joseph alongside. Both cost only slightly more than the rest of the state. Nurses building an academic track record aim at Lexington; most others find more simultaneous options in Louisville.
Is northern Kentucky its own market?
Functionally, yes. St. Elizabeth Healthcare anchors steady demand just across the river from Cincinnati, so travelers there get Kentucky's low costs with a major metro at the doorstep. It suits nurses who want city amenities without city rents. Unit choice runs narrower than Louisville's, so confirm your specialty's availability with a recruiter before planning around it.
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