Nurse Practitioner Salary in Bowling Green, KY: $116,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Bowling Green, KY earns a median $116,867/year (≈ $56.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $129,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Bowling Green, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $116,867, which falls below the national average of $136,864. With a salary range spanning from $103,264 at the 10th percentile to $152,175 at the 90th percentile, compensation levels reflect the unique state regulations in Kentucky. Unlike 27 full-practice states, Kentucky mandates physician collaboration agreements, which can influence job opportunities and salaries. The official estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, indicate that the job market for nurse practitioners remains competitive but also highlights the disparities in pay due to local practice constraints and the specialty emphasis within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,264 | $49.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,667 | $54.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,867 | $56.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,337 | $64.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,175 | $73.16 |
Median Salary Position
14.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, KY, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,911 (2026 est.). At $116,867, the local median is 14.61% below the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bowling Green Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $116,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $127,168 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -14.61% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $116,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.61% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 8.10% below the Kentucky state average of $127,168.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.179 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $116,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,070
2025 BLS Actual
$112,970
2026 Current Est.
$116,867
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 15.2% from $98,070 (2019) to $112,970 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,829 (23.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,264 – $112,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,667 – $116,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,867 – $133,337 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,337 – $152,175 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Bowling Green
With approximately 150 nurse practitioners employed locally, the job market in Bowling Green demonstrates growth potential, projected to expand at a rate of 3.45% annually over the next five years. Though the cost of living index stands at 90.179, slightly below the national average, this affects the real purchasing power for nurse practitioners. Employers in various sectors, such as hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care chains, and specialty clinics, offer differing compensation levels. Notably, positions in mental health (PMHNP) typically command higher salaries due to demand. For those aiming to maximize earnings, consider pursuing additional specialties or certifications, exploring telehealth opportunities, and negotiating productivity bonuses that can significantly enhance overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $112,970 for nurse practitionersin the Bowling Green metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov