Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $41,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $41,407/year (≈ $19.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $43,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Indianapolis, Indiana, is projected to reach a median of $41,407, reflecting a significant adjustment in response to the post-COVID wage reset. With a salary range extending from $38,798 at the 10th percentile to $50,300 at the 90th percentile, this compensation reflects growing demand for CNAs amid ongoing workforce challenges. These estimates, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), indicate that the Indianapolis market sits approximately 8% below the national median of $45,007. As the nursing sector continues to grapple with staffing shortages, the financial prospects for CNAs in Indianapolis stand to improve, positioning this occupation as a viable pathway for individuals looking to enter the healthcare field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,798 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,938 | $19.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,407 | $19.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,936 | $23.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,300 | $24.19 |
Median Salary Position
8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,502 (2026 est.). At $41,407, the local median is 8% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Indianapolis Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $41,407/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $40,437 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.00% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $41,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.00% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% above the Indiana state average of $40,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,407 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,269 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,530
2025 BLS Actual
$38,880
2026 Current Est.
$41,407
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.7% from $29,530 (2019) to $38,880 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,569 (49.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $38,798 – $39,938 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,938 – $41,407 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,407 – $47,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,936 – $50,300 |
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 Indianapolis
With around 9,730 certified nursing assistants working in the Indianapolis area, the local job market is robust, supported by a cost-of-living index of 95.696, which is below the national average. This demographic trend means that while entry-level salaries may seem lower, the actual purchasing power remains relatively stable. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the highest pay among local employers, with additional incentives for night shifts and weekends that can range from $1 to $4 extra per hour. Other factors influencing salary variation include agency premium pay during staffing crises and clinical certifications, like a CMA stipend, which can enhance take-home pay. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, strategically pursuing weekend-only roles, seeking positions in high-acuity settings, or considering career advancement into LPN or RN pathways can significantly impact earning potential.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
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 $38,880 for certified nursing assistantsin the Indianapolis 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