Kentucky Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay Rules
Side-by-side statutory audit of Registered Nurse hourly wages, 1.5x overtime thresholds, shift benchmarks ($42.80/hr median), and meal break penalty pay under KRS 337.275.
Managing payroll or shift workers in KENTUCKY?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Kentucky Registered Nurse Paycheck Calculator
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Managing payroll or shift workers in KENTUCKY?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
In Kentucky, a Registered Nurse is entitled to a minimum statutory base wage of $7.25/hr (State industry median: $42.80/hr). Overtime is calculated at 1.5x regular rate after 40 hours per week under KRS 337.275.
Visual Pay Composition Breakdown
FLSA Exemption & Overtime Rules for Registered Nurses in Kentucky
Non-Exempt (Eligible for 1.5x Overtime & Shift Differential Premiums)
Registered Nurses paid on an hourly basis are non-exempt under FLSA regulations and MUST receive 1.5x overtime pay for all hours over 40.
Kentucky Statutory Wage & Overtime Authority
Statutory Legal Citation: KRS 337.275
Kentucky minimum wage is $7.25/hr. Includes a 7th consecutive day overtime rule requiring 1.5x pay for employees working 7 days in a single workweek.
Employee Statutory Rights (KY)
- ✓ 7th consecutive day overtime: 1.5x pay for working 7 days in a workweek under KRS 337.050.
- ✓ Statutory minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
- ✓ Weekly overtime at 1.5x over 40 hours.
Employer Mandatory Obligations (KY)
- § Pay 1.5x regular rate for work on the 7th consecutive day.
- § Pay employees at least semimonthly.
- § Maintain detailed payroll logs.
Kentucky Statutory Wage & Overtime FAQs
What is the minimum wage in Kentucky for 2026? ↓
Under statutory citation KRS 337.275, the 2026 minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 per hour. Employers paying below this baseline face Department of Labor back-pay audits and statutory interest penalties.
Does Kentucky mandate daily overtime pay? ↓
Kentucky follows the standard federal FLSA rule (Title 29 U.S.C. § 207). Overtime is calculated weekly for hours exceeding 40 hours in a 7-day workweek with no daily cap.
Can employers in Kentucky take a tip credit against wage rates? ↓
Kentucky permits employers to claim a maximum tip credit of $5.12/hr against tipped staff, requiring a minimum direct cash wage of $2.13/hr.
Common Kentucky Payroll Compliance Traps & Audit Penalties
Overlooking Kentucky 7th consecutive day overtime rule.
Failing to make up tip credit shortfalls.
Unlawful paycheck deductions.
Managing payroll or shift workers in Kentucky?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Audit Kentucky Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay
Verify 2026 statutory minimum wage floors, 1.5x overtime thresholds, and meal break penalties for Registered Nurses in Kentucky.