Currently there is an extensive need for nurses in Kentucky. The top three cities in Kentucky, known as The Bluegrass State, have median salaries for registered nurses as follows: Lexington $62,560, Louisville $63,908, and Bowling Green $56,740.
Seven of the top 25 employers in Kentucky are hospitals or medical centers. UK Chandler in Lexington is 5th with 10,000 employees, Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville is 11th with 4,800 employees, Baptist Hospital East is 15th with 3,500 employees, Owensboro Medical Health Center in Owensboro, Regional Health Center in Madisonville and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are all ranked 20th with 2,500 employees, and Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington is 25th with 2,000 employees.
Kentucky Facts & Figures
- 2012 Unemployment Rate: 8.3%
- Unemployment Rank: 37 of 50
- 2011 Per Capita Income: $33, 667
- Per Capita Income Rank: 47 of 50
- 2011 Cost of Living Index: 89.9
- Cost of Living Rank: 2 of 50
Three Largest Cities in Kentucky
Ten Largest Hospitals in Kentucky
- Norton Hospital
- Medical Center-Bowling Green
- Jewish Hospital
- St Elizabeth Medical Center-South
- University Of Kentucky Hospital
- Baptist Hospital East
- Central Baptist Hospital
- King’s Daughters Medical Center
- Saint Joseph Hospital
- Owensboro Mercy Health System