Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Frankfort, KY: $19.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Frankfort, KY runs $19.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,353 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Frankfort's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,217 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Frankfort, Kentucky, the projected hourly rate in 2026 is $19.40, which is notably lower than the national median of $21.64. This disparity can impact part-time workers, such as those who work three days a week, as their earnings might influence their living standards compared to full-time counterparts. CNAs typically work in varied environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice settings, where they engage in tasks like patient care and monitoring. The hourly rate for CNAs in Frankfort ranges from $15.66 for entry-level positions to an impressive $24.03 for those at the top of their field. These amounts are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the competitive nature of nursing roles in the area.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.66 | $125.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.91 | $135.30 |
| Median (P50) | $19.40 | $155.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.03 | $192.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frankfort
Based on $19.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.40/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frankfort, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,361 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,285. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Frankfort.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frankfort
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $776.17 | $3,363 | $40,361 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $465.70 | $2,018 | $24,217 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $310.47 | $1,345 | $16,144 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Frankfort) | $19.40 |
| 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 Frankfort, KY earn a median of $40,353 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.34% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $41,176.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.40/hr = $24,217/year (purchasing power: $27,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,361/year (purchasing power: $45,197).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Frankfort grew 42.5% from $12.79/hr (2019) to $18.22/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.67/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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort
Many CNAs in Frankfort opt for part-time positions, which usually translate to a take-home of around $36,152 annually based on a standard 24-hour work week. The allure of per diem certified nursing assistant pay can also be strong, with agency workers billing anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour, and special weekend contracts sometimes reaching $30 to $45 per hour, particularly in high-demand periods. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; for instance, hospital positions, especially in high-stress areas like ICUs, tend to pay more compared to the assisted living sector. There is often a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that come with health insurance packages. For those looking to negotiate their pay, it's advisable to emphasize experience and readiness to work flexible hours, especially weekends, to leverage potentially better compensation in this sector.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
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 Frankfort. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Frankfort is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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