Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Kentucky: $238,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $238,321/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $266,877 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ashland ($267,604), Lexington ($242,700), Louisville ($230,340).
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Kentucky are projected to earn an average median salary of $238,321, which is 4.2% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary range across different cities indicates significant variability, with the highest-paying area being Ashland at $281,519, while Murray offers the lowest at $207,882. This $73,637 difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local market conditions. Kentucky’s licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow nurse anesthetists to function autonomously, which aids in the increasing demand for their services, particularly in rural areas. The overall job market for nurse anesthetists in the state shows a healthy growth outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%. Notable cities for potential employment include Lexington at $255,320, Louisville at $242,318, and Owensboro at $224,078. With a workforce of 1,226 nurse anesthetists, the state is well-positioned to meet the anticipated demand from various healthcare settings, further encouraging career prospects in this field.
Kentucky Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $136,958 (lowest entry-level) to $376,368 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky nurse anesthetists earn 4.25% less than the national median ($-10,572/year difference).
Kentucky Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Kentucky range from $206,344 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $319,274 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $238,321. The Kentucky median is $10,572 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $114.58/hr. Approximately 1,226 nurse anesthetists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$158,645
2025 BLS Actual
$226,541
2026 Current Est.
$238,321
2019–2027 Growth
+58.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,645 | Actual |
| 2020 | $159,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $187,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $194,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $215,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $226,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $238,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $250,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 42.8% from $158,645 (2019) to $226,541 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $250,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $92,069 (58.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $207,882 |
| Jeffersontown | $210,996 |
| Paducah | $211,255 |
| Madisonville | $211,742 |
| Georgetown | $212,532 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | $281,519 | 89.3 | $315,251 |
| Lexington | $255,320 | 92.889 | $274,866 |
| Louisville | $242,318 | 89.3 | $271,353 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $234,091 | 93.074 | $251,511 |
| Owensboro | $224,078 | 89.3 | $250,927 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $206,344 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $238,321 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $319,274 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland | $281,519 |
| 2 | Lexington | $255,320 |
| 3 | Louisville | $242,318 |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $234,091 |
| 5 | Owensboro | $224,078 |
| 6 | Independence | $220,500 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | $220,294 |
| 8 | Florence | $220,241 |
| 9 | Covington | $219,310 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $218,896 |
| 11 | Richmond | $218,844 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $217,724 |
| 13 | Henderson | $217,361 |
| 14 | Elizabethtown | $217,206 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $216,585 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $213,279 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $212,532 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $211,742 |
| 19 | Paducah | $211,255 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $210,996 |
| 21 | Murray | $207,882 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Kentucky
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Kentucky?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary 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 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov