Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in St. Cloud, FL: $38,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in St. Cloud, FL earns a median $38,495/year (≈ $18.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $38,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $38,495 in 2026, certified nursing assistants in St. Cloud, FL, have experienced a notable post-COVID wage reset. The salary range for these professionals spans from a lower end of $31,776 to an upper range of $47,303, illustrating diverse opportunities based on experience and skill set. These figures come from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is currently slightly above average at 100.8. As St. Cloud's economic landscape evolves, the local certified nursing assistant pay reflects the increasing demand for healthcare support roles amidst workforce challenges, offering a promising career path in this resilient market.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($35,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,776 | $15.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,327 | $16.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,495 | $18.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,244 | $20.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,303 | $22.74 |
Median Salary Position
14.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, FL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,527 (2026 est.). At $38,495, the local median is 14.47% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $38,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $39,402 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Cloud, FL earn a median of $38,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $39,402.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $38,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $38,189 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$25,369
2025 BLS Actual
$36,146
2026 Current Est.
$38,495
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,387 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,925 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,484 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,146 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,369 (2019) to $36,146 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,629 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $31,776 – $34,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,327 – $38,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,495 – $43,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,244 – $47,303 |
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 St. Cloud
Employing 11 certified nursing assistants, St. Cloud showcases a stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index of 100.8 suggests that take-home purchasing power is slightly elevated compared to national averages, requiring careful budgeting for essentials. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, driven by acuity-based pay structures and additional incentive programs. Factors such as shift differentials, particularly for night shifts and weekends, can add $1 to $4 per hour, enhancing overall earnings. Moreover, CNA-to-LPN and RN bridge programs are increasingly popular in St. Cloud, providing opportunities for certified nursing assistants looking to advance their careers. For maximizing pay, exploring weekend-only roles or seeking positions in high-demand environments, such as rehabilitation hospitals or intensive care units, can significantly boost compensation.
More salary data for St. Cloud, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in St. Cloud, FL in 2026?
Is St. Cloud, FL a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in St. Cloud?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in St. Cloud?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in St. Cloud?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $36,146 for certified nursing assistantsin the St. Cloud 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
Salary data for St. Cloud 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