Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lawrence, KS: $41,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lawrence, KS earns a median $41,024/year (≈ $19.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $45,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lawrence, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant is $41,024 in 2026, which is lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs in this region varies significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning about $37,094 and the upper 90th percentile making approximately $48,702. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the unique demands of the healthcare sector in the area. While the path from certified nursing assistant to LPN or RN can provide a significant boost in pay and responsibility, the current market conditions in Lawrence still suggest stable opportunities due to consistent employment needs in local healthcare facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,094 | $17.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,809 | $18.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,024 | $19.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,487 | $22.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,702 | $23.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,608 (2026 est.). At $41,024, the local median is 8.85% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $41,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $40,901 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.85% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $41,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.85% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% above the Kansas state average of $40,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,470
2025 BLS Actual
$38,520
2026 Current Est.
$41,024
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.2% from $27,470 (2019) to $38,520 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,220 (59.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $37,094 – $38,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,809 – $41,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,024 – $46,487 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,487 – $48,702 |
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 Lawrence
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Lawrence remains robust, with around 540 professionals currently employed in this field. Given the area's cost of living index at 90.243, newly hired CNAs will find that their compensation allows for a comfortable lifestyle compared to national averages. Higher-paying employers include skilled nursing facilities and local hospitals, which tend to offer additional incentives like shift differentials—typically $2-$4 per hour for nights and $1-$3 for weekends. Other factors influencing pay include agency premiums during staffing shortages and specific roles offering weekend-only positions. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Lawrence, pursuing additional certifications or seeking positions in higher-acuity environments can lead to more competitive compensation, particularly as the demand for qualified nursing assistants grows due to ongoing staffing challenges in the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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 $38,520 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lawrence 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