Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $21.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $21.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,981 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be around $21.62 in 2026, a figure that closely aligns with the national median of $21.64. This hourly rate provides significant earning opportunities for part-time and per diem workers in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health services. For instance, a certified nursing assistant working three days a week can benefit from a steady income stream while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly wage spectrum in the area ranges from $18.11 at the entry-level to approximately $24.20 for experienced professionals, reflecting the official BLS data pertinent to the market dynamics of nursing support roles in Kentucky.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.11 | $144.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.39 | $155.15 |
| Median (P50) | $21.62 | $172.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.50 | $188.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.20 | $193.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $21.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.62/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $44,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,943. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $864.78 | $3,747 | $44,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $518.87 | $2,248 | $26,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $345.91 | $1,499 | $17,987 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $21.62 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $44,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.20% above the Kentucky state average of $41,176.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.62/hr = $26,981/year (purchasing power: $28,989).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,969/year (purchasing power: $48,315).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 45.4% from $13.96/hr (2019) to $20.30/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.02/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
Part-time certified nursing assistants averaging 24 hours a week can earn a substantial income, accumulating around $26,000 annually, which is considerably different from full-time earnings in the field. With the rise of per diem and agency work, many CNAs have the chance to earn significantly more, as agency staffing typically allows for billing rates between $22 and $32 per hour; some contracts even offer weekend premiums that soar to $30-$45 per hour in regions facing shortages. The types of employers also influence the hourly rates in Louisville/Jefferson County, with hospitals and specialized care facilities often providing higher wages compared to assisted living communities. However, some individuals may choose lower hourly positions that include comprehensive health insurance benefits over higher pay without such perks. Effective strategies for negotiating hourly pay can involve highlighting specific skills, flexibility in scheduling, and readiness to work harder-to-fill shifts or weekends, reflecting the evolving work environment in Kentucky’s healthcare sector.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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