Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $19.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $19.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,502 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,296 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $19.47 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $21.64. This difference highlights the earning potential for CNAs working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule who may work up to 24 hours. For per diem certified nursing assistants in Elizabethtown, the flexibility in their work schedule often allows them to choose shifts that fit their personal commitments while earning between $16.00 and $22.99 per hour, depending on experience. The range from entry-level positions to top earners reflects the varying demands of different work environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health settings, and assisted living apartments. These figures are derived from reliable sources, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.00 | $127.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.16 | $145.27 |
| Median (P50) | $19.47 | $155.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.13 | $177.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.99 | $183.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
Based on $19.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.47/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabethtown, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,494 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,362. With a cost-of-living index of 90.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $778.73 | $3,374 | $40,494 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $467.24 | $2,025 | $24,296 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.49 | $1,350 | $16,198 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Elizabethtown) | $19.47 |
| 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 Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $40,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.01% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.70% below the Kentucky state average of $41,202.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.47/hr = $24,296/year (purchasing power: $26,825).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,494/year (purchasing power: $44,709).
CoL index: 90.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Elizabethtown grew 39.6% from $13.09/hr (2019) to $18.28/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.73/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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
For a part-time certified nursing assistant working three days a week, the annual take-home pay could amount to roughly $30,000 if they remain consistent in their hours, while full-time counterparts can expect significantly higher earnings. Many CNAs exploring per diem or agency work find that while they may earn more per shift—often between $22 and $32 for agency positions, and potentially higher for weekend or travel contracts—this flexibility comes with its challenges. Travel contracts, while lucrative, remain less common compared to staffing roles. In Elizabethtown, hourly wages can vary significantly based on employer type; for example, hospice services might offer different rates compared to rehabilitation hospitals or home health agencies. Additionally, some professionals choose positions with a lower hourly rate for the benefits package, such as health insurance, which can impact overall compensation. Negotiating effectively is essential, and emphasizing qualifications, flexibility, and experience can help certified nursing assistants secure better pay in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Elizabethtown?
Are certified nursing assistants in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Elizabethtown?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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 Elizabethtown. 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