Louisville/Jefferson County vs Paducah: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Paducah, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | Paducah, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $89,356▲ | $84,164 |
| Hourly Rate | $42.96▲ | $40.46 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,767▲ | $68,662 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,005▲ | $80,446 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,898▲ | $100,329 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $124,476▲ | $106,658 |
| Total Employed | 18,180▲ | 1,720 |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Paducah.
The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Paducah is $5,192 (6.17%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -13.02% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $55,709,Paducah spans $37,996. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Paducah ($97,770 effective) pays 1.84% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($96,005 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($89,356/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($124,476)
- ✓Larger job market (18,180 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Paducah if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,770)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 32.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Paducah over the same period.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$63,900 (2019) → $84,850 (2025)
Paducah, KY
$77,400 (2024) → $79,920 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Paducah, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays registered nurses more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Paducah?
What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Paducah?
Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Paducah as a registered nurse?
What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Paducah?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov