Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $15.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $15.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,249 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,950 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $15.99. This figure reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median hourly pay, which stands at $21.64. For part-time workers typically employed three days a week, this means an approximate weekly take-home of $479.04, translating to $1,916.16 monthly. Those in per diem roles can expect a similar earnings routine while working in various settings, like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. The hourly pay for CNAs in Baton Rouge ranges from $14.88 for entry-level positions to $19.08 for those at the top of their field, providing opportunities for advancement and skill development in a profession that has seen growing demand following the recent healthcare staffing crisis.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.88 | $119.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.36 | $122.86 |
| Median (P50) | $15.99 | $127.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.93 | $143.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.08 | $152.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $15.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.99/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $33,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,183. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $639.43 | $2,771 | $33,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $383.66 | $1,663 | $19,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $255.77 | $1,108 | $13,300 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Baton Rouge) | $15.99 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $33,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.12% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% below the Louisiana state average of $33,756.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.99/hr = $19,950/year (purchasing power: $21,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,250/year (purchasing power: $36,627).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Baton Rouge grew 33.1% from $11.28/hr (2019) to $15.01/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.02/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Part-time CNAs working 24 hours a week can take home approximately $23,000 annually, which is markedly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Baton Rouge may vary widely, as agency CNAs can charge between $22 and $32 per hour, while special weekend contracts can command between $30 and $45 per hour. Although travel assignments have become less common post-COVID, some positions can offer lucrative contracts up to $1,800 weekly. The earnings landscape in Baton Rouge also varies by employer type, with skilled nursing facilities typically paying lower rates compared to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Many CNAs often must balance the trade-off between higher hourly wages and benefits such as health insurance, impacting their overall earnings potential. For those negotiating hourly rates, it's prudent to emphasize flexibility and availability, especially for weekend shifts where demand is higher, thus potentially commanding better rates.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 Baton Rouge. 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