Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Caldwell, ID: $41,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Caldwell, ID earns a median $41,615/year (โ $20.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Caldwell's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $43,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

In Caldwell, ID, the projected annual salary for certified nursing assistants sits at $41,615 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $45,007. This figure encompasses a salary range from $31,896 at the 10th percentile to $49,639 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in compensation based on the type of healthcare setting and level of experience. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that professionals in this role face a distinctive pay gap due to the differences between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The local job market is seeing a steady demand for certified nursing assistants, shaped by shifts towards outpatient care but still reliant on traditional inpatient settings that typically offer higher pay.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,896 | $15.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,732 | $18.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,615 | $20.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,755 | $21.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,639 | $23.87 |
Median Salary Position
7.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caldwell
In Caldwell, ID, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,743 (2026 est.). At $41,615, the local median is 7.54% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Caldwell: You'd be above the median
How Caldwell Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Caldwell median: $41,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caldwell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $41,285 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -7.54% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $41,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.54% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $41,285.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caldwell has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Caldwell, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,615 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,667 in an average-cost city โ an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,425
2025 BLS Actual
$39,075
2026 Current Est.
$41,615
2019โ2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Caldwell (2019โ2027)
2019โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,065 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caldwell metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $27,425 (2019) to $39,075 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,320 by 2027 โ a total increase of $16,895 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $31,896 โ $37,732 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,732 โ $41,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,615 โ $45,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,755 โ $49,639 |
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 Caldwell
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Caldwell currently employs eight individuals, but given the cost-of-living index of 95.3, the effective take-home pay can be quite favorable. While skilled nursing facilities may not always offer the highest salaries, shifts in staffing needs can create opportunities for additional earnings. For example, weekends may afford premiums ranging from $1 to $3 per hour, while night shifts often add $2 to $4. Certain employers, such as hospitals and specific rehabilitation centers, tend to offer higher pay scales, driven by acuity and the need for specialized care. Maximizing earnings in the Caldwell market may involve pursuing shift differentials, considering roles in agency staffing during shortages, and exploring certification stipends. As certified nursing assistants consider pathways to further their careers, bridging into LPN or RN roles remains a viable and potentially lucrative option in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
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 $39,075 for certified nursing assistantsin the Caldwell 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Caldwell 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov