Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $19.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $19.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,629 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,778 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Fort Wayne, Indiana, can expect an hourly pay of approximately $19.05 in 2026, which is lower than the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This disparity can impact those looking to work part-time or on a per-diem basis, particularly in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice care, and home health. A three-day workweek could yield around $912 weekly, allowing CNAs to balance work and personal commitments, often essential in this line of work. The hourly earnings range from $18.12 at the entry-level to $23.99 for the highest earners, reflecting the diverse environments and responsibilities CNAs may encounter, from assisting in patient care to supporting healthcare teams.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.12 | $144.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.65 | $149.19 |
| Median (P50) | $19.05 | $152.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.41 | $179.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.99 | $191.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $19.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.05/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $39,630 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,863. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $762.11 | $3,302 | $39,630 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $457.27 | $1,981 | $23,778 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $304.85 | $1,321 | $15,852 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Fort Wayne) | $19.05 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $39,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Indiana state average of $40,437.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.05/hr = $23,778/year (purchasing power: $25,686).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,630/year (purchasing power: $42,810).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Fort Wayne grew 31.4% from $13.62/hr (2019) to $17.89/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Fort Wayne
When considering the potential for part-time work, a certified nursing assistant working three days a week would likely take home around $47,616 annually, considerably less than a full-time position. Many CNAs choose to work for agencies, where per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Fort Wayne can vary widely, with common rates of $22 to $32 per hour. Weekend shifts or contracts in high-demand areas might see rates climb to $30-$45 per hour. Factors such as the employer type influence these variations; for example, CNAs in hospitals may receive higher wages compared to those in assisted living facilities or rehabilitation hospitals. While some CNAs opt for the stability of lower hourly pay with benefits, others prefer higher hourly rates that do not provide insurance. Negotiating hourly wages effectively is crucial for those in the field, especially considering the significant staffing shortages and rising wage trends caused by recent industry challenges.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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