Nurse Practitioner Salary in Owensboro, KY: $133,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Owensboro, KY earns a median $133,223/year (≈ $64.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $150,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioners in Owensboro, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $133,223 in 2026, which reflects a modest undershoot compared to the national median of $136,864 for the same year. Salary estimates show a range from $103,305 at the 10th percentile up to $178,441 at the 90th percentile, as derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. These figures indicate that while there is a solid earning potential for nurse practitioners, those in specialties such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) tend to command higher pay than Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP). The competitive landscape for healthcare services in Owensboro influences these salary levels, making it vital for practitioners to be aware of specialty demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,305 | $49.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,602 | $53.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,223 | $64.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,833 | $70.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,441 | $85.79 |
Median Salary Position
2.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,136 (2026 est.). At $133,223, the local median is 2.66% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owensboro Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $133,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $127,243 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -2.66% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $133,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 4.70% above the Kentucky state average of $127,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 11.39% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $133,223 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,800
2025 BLS Actual
$128,780
2026 Current Est.
$133,223
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,819 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 27.8% from $100,800 (2019) to $128,780 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,819 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,019 (36.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $103,305 – $111,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,602 – $133,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,223 – $145,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,833 – $178,441 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Owensboro
With approximately 150 nurse practitioners currently employed in Owensboro, the job market offers a promising outlook, particularly against a cost-of-living index of 88.61, which is below the national average. This lower living cost benefits the take-home purchasing power of nurse practitioners, thus enhancing their overall financial opportunities. Employers that tend to pay the most include hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices, driven by demand for niche skills. The disparity in pay among practitioners can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, productivity bonuses, and collaboration agreements that vary across Kentucky. For nurse practitioners aiming to maximize their pay in this market, focusing on in-demand specialties, pursuing full-practice authority licensure, and considering higher-paying healthcare settings could make a significant difference in their earnings trajectory in Owensboro, KY.
More salary data for Owensboro, 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 $128,780 for nurse practitionersin the Owensboro 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