Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $30.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Nicholasville, KY runs $30.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,303 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,585 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, the projected median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses is $30.92, placing it slightly below the national median of $32.73. This rate provides a solid income for those working part-time or per diem. For example, a part-time LPN working three days a week could earn around $1,589 each week, enabling a comfortable living while balancing other commitments. The hourly rate for LPNs in this area ranges from $24.21 at the entry level to $37.50 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse work settings where these professionals are employed, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and medical offices.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($51,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.21 | $193.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.25 | $226.03 |
| Median (P50) | $30.92 | $247.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.32 | $282.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.50 | $300.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $30.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.92/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $64,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,101. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,236.69 | $5,359 | $64,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.01 | $3,215 | $38,585 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.68 | $2,144 | $25,723 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Nicholasville) | $30.92 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $64,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $65,282.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.92/hr = $38,585/year (purchasing power: $43,208).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,308/year (purchasing power: $72,013).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Nicholasville grew 35.6% from $21.57/hr (2019) to $29.25/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Nicholasville
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses reveals variances that depend on work arrangements. An LPN working just three days a week could take home approximately $82,000 annually, in contrast to the regular full-time salary that typically provides additional stability but may not yield higher overall earnings. Per diem LPNs commonly earn between $28 and $42 per hour, while staffing agencies at local nursing facilities may pay between $45 and $60 per hour, creating opportunities for higher weekly compensation through flexible work arrangements. The types of employers significantly influence hourly pay rates, with skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies reflecting varied compensation structures. While accepting lower hourly wages might be a trade-off for benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans, LPNs aiming for higher pay can seek roles without those benefits. For those in Nicholasville, effective negotiation practices can position LPNs to advocate for better hourly rates, especially considering the market dynamics and employment settings.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Nicholasville in 2026?
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Nicholasville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Nicholasville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov