Advantis salary data
Updated today · 65 open Kentucky jobs
Travel Nurse Salary in Kentucky
Median weekly · all specialties
$2,153
Pay after rent / mo
≈ $8,218/mo
$2,153/wk × 4.33 − $1,104 typical 2-BR rent. 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
Orthopedics
$2,525/wk
2
Operating Room
$2,416/wk
3
Oncology
$2,396/wk
4
Cath Lab
$2,345/wk
5
CVICU
$2,240/wk
6
Labor and Delivery
$2,234/wk
7
PCU
$2,228/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
$1.9–2.0k
$2.0–2.2k
$2.2–2.3k
$2.3–2.4k
$2.4k+
$2,153
Median weekly
$1,758–$2,576
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. Texas ranks well: no income tax and below-average rent stretch the check further than several higher-posted states. Each state links through to its own salary page.
Filter
| State | Median pay | State income tax | Market outlook | Compact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky You're here | $2,153 | 3.5% flat | Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Rhode Island | $2,709 | up to 5.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Alaska | $2,507 | 0% | Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Vermont | $2,507 | up to 8.75% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| North Dakota | $2,331 | up to 2.5% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Jersey | $2,597 | up to 10.75% (graduated) | Among 10 states with the largest projected RN shortage by 2036 NJ Collaborating Center for Nursing | Yes ✓ | |
| West Virginia | $2,240 | up to ~4.58% (graduated) | Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Nevada | $2,404 | 0% | Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Nebraska | $2,264 | up to 4.55% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Wisconsin | $2,255 | up to 7.65% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Wyoming | $2,189 | 0% | Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Maine | $2,303 | up to 7.15% (graduated) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Iowa | $2,171 | 3.8% flat | Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Washington | $2,366 | 0% | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Illinois | $2,260 | 4.95% flat | ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center | No | |
| New Mexico | $2,184 | up to 5.9% (graduated) | Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Massachusetts | $2,412 | 5.0% flat + 4% surtax >$1M (top 9.0%) | Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| California | $2,464 | up to 13.3% (graduated) | ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022 | No | |
| Ohio | $2,137 | 2.75% flat | Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Hampshire | $2,320 | 0% | ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Minnesota | $2,176 | up to 9.85% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Idaho | $2,147 | 5.3% flat | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Louisiana | $2,079 | 3.0% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Oklahoma | $2,077 | up to 4.5% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Indiana | $2,100 | 2.95% flat | ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen | Yes ✓ | |
| Kansas | $2,071 | up to 5.58% (graduated) | Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Michigan | $2,096 | 4.25% flat | 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024 | No | |
| Missouri | $2,055 | up to 4.7% (graduated) | Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Montana | $2,133 | up to 5.65% (graduated) | Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Connecticut | $2,244 | up to 6.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Arizona | $2,159 | 2.5% flat | Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook | Yes ✓ | |
| Pennsylvania | $2,104 | 3.07% flat | ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Oregon | $2,153 | up to 9.9% (graduated) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Colorado | $2,165 | 4.4% flat | ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer | Yes ✓ | |
| New York | $2,275 | up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local | ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL | No | |
| Alabama | $1,966 | up to 5.0% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Tennessee | $1,973 | 0% | 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| Maryland | $2,117 | up to 6.5% (graduated) + county | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~16% by 2038 (~10,890 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Florida | $2,111 | 0% | 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| Virginia | $2,054 | up to 5.75% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| South Carolina | $1,949 | 0%–6% graduated (top 6%) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Georgia | $1,984 | 4.99% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| North Carolina | $1,906 | 3.99% flat | ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps | Yes ✓ | |
| Mississippi | $1,811 | 4.0% flat | Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Texas | $1,892 | 0% | 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 | |
| Arkansas | $1,741 | up to 3.7% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Utah | $1,785 | 4.45% flat | Above balance; fast growth keeps demand elevated HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ |
Kentucky
You're here
Median pay $2,153
Compact ✓
State tax 3.5% flat
Outlook: Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Rhode Island
Median pay $2,709
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Alaska
Median pay $2,507
Compact No
State tax 0%
Outlook: Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Vermont
Median pay $2,507
Compact ✓
State tax up to 8.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
North Dakota
Median pay $2,331
Compact ✓
State tax up to 2.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,597
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
West Virginia
Median pay $2,240
Compact ✓
State tax up to ~4.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,404
Compact No
State tax 0%
Outlook: Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Nebraska
Median pay $2,264
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.55% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,255
Compact ✓
State tax up to 7.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Wyoming
Median pay $2,189
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Maine
Median pay $2,303
Compact ✓
State tax up to 7.15% (graduated)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Iowa
Median pay $2,171
Compact ✓
State tax 3.8% flat
Outlook: Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,366
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,260
Compact No
State tax 4.95% flat
Outlook: ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center
New Mexico
Median pay $2,184
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.9% (graduated)
Outlook: Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,412
Compact No
State tax 5.0% flat + 4% surtax >$1M (top 9.0%)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,464
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 pay $2,137
Compact ✓
State tax 2.75% flat
Outlook: Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
New Hampshire
Median pay $2,320
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,176
Compact No
State tax up to 9.85% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Idaho
Median pay $2,147
Compact ✓
State tax 5.3% flat
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Louisiana
Median pay $2,079
Compact ✓
State tax 3.0% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,077
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,100
Compact ✓
State tax 2.95% flat
Outlook: ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen
Median pay $2,071
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,096
Compact No
State tax 4.25% flat
Outlook: 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024
Median pay $2,055
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Montana
Median pay $2,133
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,244
Compact ✓
State tax up to 6.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,159
Compact ✓
State tax 2.5% flat
Outlook: Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook
Median pay $2,104
Compact ✓
State tax 3.07% flat
Outlook: ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,153
Compact No
State tax up to 9.9% (graduated)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $2,165
Compact ✓
State tax 4.4% flat
Outlook: ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer
Median pay $2,275
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
Median pay $1,966
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $1,973
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn.
Median pay $2,117
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 pay $2,111
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn.
Median pay $2,054
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
Median pay $1,949
Compact ✓
State tax 0%–6% graduated (top 6%)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $1,984
Compact ✓
State tax 4.99% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $1,906
Compact ✓
State tax 3.99% flat
Outlook: ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps
Mississippi
Median pay $1,811
Compact ✓
State tax 4.0% flat
Outlook: Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median pay $1,892
Compact ✓
State tax 0%
Outlook: 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals
Hawaii
Median pay $2,104
Compact No
State tax up to 11.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Arkansas
Median pay $1,741
Compact ✓
State tax up to 3.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Utah
Median pay $1,785
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; each links to its primary source.
See all Kentucky travel RN jobs →
Pay after rent = median weekly pay × 4.33, minus the typical 2-BR rent, before taxes. Sources: rent HUD FMR FY2026; state income tax Tax Foundation; compact NCSBN; market outlook per state from each state's primary source. Not tax advice.
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
$2,525
Louisville
$2,228
Lexington
$2,228
Prestonburg
$2,145
Elizabethtown
$2,129
Hazard
$2,123
Paducah
$2,118
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
Factored into take-home; travel stipends are typically tax-free.
Compact ✓
Start on your license
Multistate license? No new application. Single-state: ~~2 wks (14 business days, board-stated) by endorsement.
10.96 /1k
RN per 1,000 residents
Below the national 9.92, so the market is structurally under-supplied, which keeps demand high.
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) · MERIC (cost of living) · 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.
Kentucky travel nursing jobs & pay
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