CNA Salary

New Orleans vs Slidell: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New Orleans, LA
$36,551
$17.57/hr
Slidell, LA
$36,263
$17.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$36,551$36,263
Hourly Rate$17.57$17.43
Entry Level (P10)$30,555$31,205
25th Percentile$32,227$32,323
75th Percentile$39,213$38,074
Top Earner (P90)$40,704$40,353
Total Employed3,6601,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($36,551) and Slidell ($36,263) certified nursing assistant salaries.New OrleansSlidellMedian Salary$36,551$36,263Entry Level (P10)$30,555$31,205Top Earner (P90)$40,704$40,353US Median $45,007

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Slidell.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Slidell is $288 (0.79%). New Orleans's median is -18.79% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $10,149,Slidell spans $9,148. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$30,555
P25$32,227
Median$36,551
P75$39,213
P90 (Top)$40,704
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$31,205
P25$32,323
Median$36,263
P75$38,074
P90 (Top)$40,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($39,473 effective) pays 0.93% more than Slidell ($39,108 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $36,551
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $39,473
Slidell
Nominal: $36,263
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $39,108

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,551/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($40,704)
  • Larger job market (3,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,473)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in New Orleans grew 44.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Slidell over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+44.1%

$23,810 (2019) → $34,320 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+9.5%

$31,100 (2024) → $34,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: New Orleans or Slidell?

New Orleans has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $36,551/year, compared to Slidell at $36,263/year — a difference of $288 (0.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Slidell?

New Orleans certified nursing assistants earn $17.57/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $17.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Slidell as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $39,473, Slidell = $39,108), job availability (3,660 vs 1,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in New Orleans vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,555 in New Orleans and $31,205 in Slidell. The Slidell 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