Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Lewiston, ME: $24.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Lewiston, ME runs $24.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,727 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Lewiston's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,035 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Lewiston, ME, will see an hourly median pay of $24.87, significantly surpassing the national median of $21.64. This competitive rate reflects not only the demand for skilled nursing professionals in various healthcare settings—such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home healthcare—but also the cost of living in the area, which remains below the national average. For part-time and per-diem workers, taking on shifts typically three days a week in critical environments like hospital floors or assisted living centers can result in a solid income stream. The hourly range for CNAs in Lewiston varies from $21.24 for entry-level positions to $30.84 for seasoned professionals, highlighting the potential for growth within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.86 | $190.85 |
| Median (P50) | $24.87 | $198.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.03 | $216.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.84 | $246.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lewiston
Based on $24.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.87/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lewiston, ME can expect to earn approximately $51,725 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,841. With a cost-of-living index of 94.74 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lewiston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lewiston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $994.71 | $4,310 | $51,725 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $596.83 | $2,586 | $31,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.88 | $1,724 | $20,690 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Lewiston) | $24.87 |
| 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 Lewiston, ME earn a median of $51,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.93% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 15.40% above the Maine state average of $44,824.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.87/hr = $31,035/year (purchasing power: $32,759).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,725/year (purchasing power: $54,599).
CoL index: 94.736 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+83.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Lewiston grew 61.5% from $14.46/hr (2019) to $23.35/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.48/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 Lewiston 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 Lewiston
Examining the part-time earning potential for a certified nursing assistant in Lewiston, someone working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home approximately $30,950 annually, which can be a reasonable income given the workforce's demands. Meanwhile, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Lewiston varies between $22-$32 per hour, with lucrative weekend-only contracts reaching $30-$45 per hour in markets experiencing staffing shortages. Many CNAs also explore travel contracts that can pay between $1,000-$1,800 weekly, although these positions are less common compared to nursing travel roles. Hourly rates vary widely across employer types—skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages compared to hospitals or hospice care but could come with health insurance benefits. CNAs often evaluate the trade-off between securing higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates that offer additional healthcare options. For those negotiating their pay in Lewiston, highlighting specialized skills or flexibility in scheduling can lead to better hourly compensation.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
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 Lewiston. 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