CNA Salary

Central vs Shreveport: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Central, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Central, LA
$32,422
$15.59/hr
Shreveport, LA
$34,250
$16.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentral, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$32,422$34,250
Hourly Rate$15.59$16.46
Entry Level (P10)$27,651$30,842
25th Percentile$29,475$31,492
75th Percentile$35,963$37,925
Top Earner (P90)$38,916$43,409
Total Employed52,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Central ($32,422) and Shreveport ($34,250) certified nursing assistant salaries.CentralShreveportMedian Salary$32,422$34,250Entry Level (P10)$27,651$30,842Top Earner (P90)$38,916$43,409US Median $45,007

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Central.

The salary gap between Central and Shreveport is $1,828 (5.64%). Shreveport's median is -23.90% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Central spans $11,265,Shreveport spans $12,567. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Central
P10 (Entry)$27,651
P25$29,475
Median$32,422
P75$35,963
P90 (Top)$38,916
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$30,842
P25$31,492
Median$34,250
P75$37,925
P90 (Top)$43,409

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($40,405 effective) pays 12.53% more than Central ($35,905 effective).

Central
Nominal: $32,422
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $35,905
Shreveport
Nominal: $34,250
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $40,405

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Central if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,250/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($43,409)
  • Larger job market (2,330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,405)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Central grew 17.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.4% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Central, LA

+17.0%

$26,024 (2024) → $30,443 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+35.4%

$23,760 (2019) → $32,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Central or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $34,250/year, compared to Central at $32,422/year — a difference of $1,828 (5.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Central and Shreveport?

Central certified nursing assistants earn $15.59/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $16.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Central to Shreveport as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Central and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Central = $35,905, Shreveport = $40,405), job availability (5 vs 2,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Central vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $27,651 in Central and $30,842 in Shreveport. The Shreveport area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov