Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lakeland, FL: $38,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lakeland, FL earns a median $38,340/year (≈ $18.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lakeland's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $39,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $38,340 for certified nursing assistants in Lakeland, Florida, professionals can expect competitive compensation in relation to the local cost of living. The salary range extends from $36,146 at the 10th percentile to $42,302 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of pay scales based on experience, certification, and type of facility. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, emphasizing the solid earning potential in this sector. For those pursuing a CNA-to-LPN bridge, the financial incentives become even clearer as they prepare for advancement into higher-paying roles in healthcare, given the growing demand for qualified personnel in Lakeland.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,146 | $17.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,998 | $17.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,340 | $18.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,342 | $19.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,302 | $20.34 |
Median Salary Position
14.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakeland
In Lakeland, FL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $6,156 (2026 est.). At $38,340, the local median is 14.81% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakeland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakeland Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lakeland median: $38,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakeland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $39,404 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.81% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lakeland, FL earn a median of $38,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.70% below the Florida state average of $39,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakeland has a cost of living 2.86% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakeland, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.141 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,340 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,468 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,010
2025 BLS Actual
$36,000
2026 Current Est.
$38,340
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakeland metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.4% from $26,010 (2019) to $36,000 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,822 (56.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,146 – $36,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,998 – $38,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,340 – $40,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,342 – $42,302 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Lakeland
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is bolstered by approximately 2,960 employed in the area, reflecting a robust demand for healthcare support staff. The cost of living index in Lakeland is 97.141, which is below the national average, thus contributing favorably to take-home pay. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly in roles involving intensive care and surgical floors, typically offer the highest salaries among local employers. Factors influencing pay discrepancies include shift differentials—where working nights or weekends can lead to added earnings—and specialty certifications that may offer stipends. To maximize certified nursing assistant pay in Lakeland FL, consider positions that offer premium weekend roles or capitalize on the greater pay rates associated with agency staffing during shortages. Focusing on skill enhancement and furthering certifications remains a practical strategy for long-term financial growth in this occupation.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,000 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lakeland metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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