Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kentucky: $43,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $43,401/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,601 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville/Jefferson County ($42,220), Louisville ($42,170), Lexington ($39,380).
In 2026, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants in Kentucky is projected to be $43,401, which is about 3.6% lower than the national median of $45,007. The highest paying city in the state is Louisville/Jefferson County, where salaries reach $44,964, while the lowest paying city, Murray, sees salaries at $38,529. This $6,435 difference highlights the regional variations influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local job market dynamics. Kentucky requires CNAs to complete training programs and pass competency evaluations, which can affect the availability of positions and salary rates. With an annual growth rate of 6.50%, the job market for CNAs in the state is improving, indicating a rising demand for these professionals across various healthcare settings. Key cities expected to reflect this growth include Louisville, with projected salaries of $44,911; Lexington at $41,940; Owensboro at $41,556; and Independence at $40,868. Overall, graduates entering the nursing field in Kentucky will find a developing job market and varying salaries based on geographic location and local healthcare needs.
Kentucky Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $32,036 (lowest entry-level) to $57,040 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky certified nursing assistants earn 3.57% less than the national median ($-1,606/year difference).
Kentucky Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Kentucky range from $36,139 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,761 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,401. The Kentucky median is $1,606 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $20.87/hr. Approximately 13,948 certified nursing assistants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,351
2025 BLS Actual
$40,752
2026 Current Est.
$43,401
2019–2027 Growth
+63.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,351 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,545 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,222 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 43.7% from $28,351 (2019) to $40,752 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,222 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,871 (63.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $38,529 |
| Jeffersontown | $39,107 |
| Madisonville | $39,244 |
| Georgetown | $39,391 |
| Radcliff | $39,530 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $44,911 | 89.3 | $50,292 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $44,964 | 93.074 | $48,310 |
| Owensboro | $41,556 | 88.61 | $46,898 |
| Paducah | $40,321 | 86.084 | $46,839 |
| Independence | $40,868 | 89.3 | $45,765 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,139 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $43,401 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,761 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $44,964 |
| 2 | Louisville | $44,911 |
| 3 | Lexington | $41,940 |
| 4 | Owensboro | $41,556 |
| 5 | Independence | $40,868 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | $40,832 |
| 7 | Florence | $40,820 |
| 8 | Covington | $40,647 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $40,570 |
| 10 | Richmond | $40,561 |
| 11 | Elizabethtown | $40,502 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $40,353 |
| 13 | Paducah | $40,321 |
| 14 | Henderson | $40,286 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $40,142 |
| 16 | Ashland | $40,030 |
| 17 | Radcliff | $39,530 |
| 18 | Georgetown | $39,391 |
| 19 | Madisonville | $39,244 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $39,107 |
| 21 | Murray | $38,529 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Kentucky 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 Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Kentucky?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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