Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $19.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Nicholasville, KY runs $19.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,336 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For certified nursing assistants in Nicholasville, KY, the projected hourly pay for 2026 stands at $19.50, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate offers substantial earning potential for part-time workers, particularly those operating on a typical schedule of three days a week. With many CNAs deployed across diverse environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home healthcare settings, those working per diem can also leverage their hours effectively. The hourly pay range starts from $15.89 for entry-level positions and can escalate to $22.42 for experienced professionals in the top tier, reflecting differences in experience, employer type, and job complexity within the healthcare industry.
About the Nicholasville 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) | $15.89 | $127.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.14 | $137.09 |
| Median (P50) | $19.50 | $156.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.08 | $168.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.42 | $179.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $19.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.50/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,560 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,400. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $780.01 | $3,380 | $40,560 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $468.00 | $2,028 | $24,336 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $312.00 | $1,352 | $16,224 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Nicholasville) | $19.50 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $40,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.86% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $41,188.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.50/hr = $24,336/year (purchasing power: $27,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,560/year (purchasing power: $45,420).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Nicholasville grew 42.5% from $12.85/hr (2019) to $18.31/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.77/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
Evaluating the financial prospects for CNAs in Nicholasville reveals some intriguing dynamics, especially regarding part-time and per-diem settings. A certified nursing assistant working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to take home about $24,096 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time earnings. The flexibility associated with per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Nicholasville can also bring in a higher hourly wage, as agency CNAs often bill employers at rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, particularly for more complicated roles or weekend shifts, which can climb to $30-$45 when demand surges. Furthermore, the variability in hourly rates across different facilities emphasizes a trade-off; while some CNAs opt for lower-paying roles that offer health benefits, others choose higher hourly compensation without benefits for the flexibility it affords. When negotiating salaries, understanding the local market and emphasizing specialized skills can powerfully influence outcomes.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville. 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 Nicholasville 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