Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Indiana: $40,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $40,571/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,437 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Indianapolis ($38,880), South Bend ($38,550), Carmel ($38,539).
In Indiana, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is projected to be $40,571, which is approximately 9.9% lower than the national median of $45,007. The largest city, Indianapolis, offers the highest salary at $41,407, while Munster has the lowest at $37,193. This salary gap of about $4,214 between these cities is influenced by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and available job opportunities. As of 2026, there are 22,060 employed CNAs across Indiana, indicating a solid market presence. The projected annual growth rate for this profession is 6.50%, suggesting a steady increase in demand for CNAs due to an aging population and a growing emphasis on healthcare services. In Indiana, CNAs must adhere to state licensing requirements, which include completing an accredited training program and passing a competency exam. Understanding the state's scope of practice laws is vital, as these outline the specific tasks and responsibilities allowed for CNAs. Overall, the job market for CNAs in Indiana reflects a positive outlook, with various urban areas offering competitive wages.
Indiana Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $30,990 (lowest entry-level) to $51,684 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana certified nursing assistants earn 9.86% less than the national median ($-4,436/year difference).
Indiana Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Indiana range from $37,944 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,664 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $40,571. The Indiana median is $4,436 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $19.50/hr. Approximately 22,060 certified nursing assistants are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,894
2025 BLS Actual
$38,095
2026 Current Est.
$40,571
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,894 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,874 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,208 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.8% from $28,894 (2019) to $38,095 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,314 (49.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Munster | $37,193 |
| Avon | $37,995 |
| Brownsburg | $38,267 |
| Shelbyville | $38,500 |
| Crown Point | $38,511 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokomo | $40,736 | 89.648 | $45,440 |
| Elkhart | $40,630 | 90.325 | $44,982 |
| Carmel | $41,044 | 91.3 | $44,955 |
| Muncie | $39,490 | 88.148 | $44,800 |
| Noblesville | $40,872 | 91.3 | $44,767 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,944 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $40,571 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,664 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $41,407 |
| 2 | South Bend | $41,056 |
| 3 | Carmel | $41,044 |
| 4 | Michigan City | $40,896 |
| 5 | Noblesville | $40,872 |
| 6 | Columbus | $40,747 |
| 7 | Kokomo | $40,736 |
| 8 | Elkhart | $40,630 |
| 9 | Greenwood | $40,548 |
| 10 | Mishawaka | $40,529 |
| 11 | Gary | $40,474 |
| 12 | Fishers | $40,327 |
| 13 | Lafayette | $40,214 |
| 14 | Goshen | $40,056 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $39,945 |
| 16 | Valparaiso | $39,873 |
| 17 | Westfield | $39,745 |
| 18 | Franklin | $39,738 |
| 19 | Schererville | $39,650 |
| 20 | Fort Wayne | $39,629 |
| 21 | Evansville | $39,597 |
| 22 | West Lafayette | $39,585 |
| 23 | Anderson | $39,510 |
| 24 | Muncie | $39,490 |
| 25 | Richmond | $39,337 |
| 26 | Hammond | $39,319 |
| 27 | Bloomington | $39,213 |
| 28 | Marion | $39,066 |
| 29 | Portage | $39,045 |
| 30 | East Chicago | $39,026 |
| 31 | New Albany | $39,019 |
| 32 | Jeffersonville | $38,944 |
| 33 | Zionsville | $38,834 |
| 34 | Hobart | $38,819 |
| 35 | Merrillville | $38,775 |
| 36 | Granger | $38,763 |
| 37 | Terre Haute | $38,723 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $38,671 |
| 39 | Crown Point | $38,511 |
| 40 | Shelbyville | $38,500 |
| 41 | Brownsburg | $38,267 |
| 42 | Avon | $37,995 |
| 43 | Munster | $37,193 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Indiana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Indiana?
How does Indiana certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Indiana?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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