Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bowling Green, KY: $40,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bowling Green, KY earns a median $40,832/year (≈ $19.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $45,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bowling Green, KY, the expected earnings for certified nursing assistants reveal significant regional nuances when compared to the national median. With a projected median annual salary of $40,832 in 2026, this amount reflects the city's specific healthcare landscape and the pay differing based on employment settings. The salary range extends from $32,365 at the lower end (P10) to $47,584 at the high end (P90), indicating that experience and type of facility can dramatically influence compensation. Importantly, these figures, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, highlight how shifts in the healthcare sector—especially in skilled nursing versus hospital roles—are affecting what certified nursing assistants can expect to earn in Bowling Green's evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,365 | $15.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,755 | $18.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,832 | $19.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,253 | $22.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,584 | $22.88 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, KY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,219 (2026 est.). At $40,832, the local median is 9.28% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be above the median
How Bowling Green Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $40,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $41,203 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -9.28% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $40,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $41,203.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.179 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,832 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,279 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,750
2025 BLS Actual
$38,340
2026 Current Est.
$40,832
2019–2027 Growth
+83.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 61.4% from $23,750 (2019) to $38,340 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,736 (83.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $32,365 – $38,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,755 – $40,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,832 – $46,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,253 – $47,584 |
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 Bowling Green
The local job market is robust, with approximately 790 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Bowling Green, a reflection of ongoing demand in the healthcare sector. Given the cost-of-living index of 90.179, which sits below the national average, the purchasing power for CNAs may not be as high as one might expect based solely on salary figures. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer the highest pay scales, with specific roles in medical/surgical floors and ICU often commanding better compensation than home health agencies or assisted living communities. Understanding the distinctions in pay based on actual job environments is critical for aspiring nurses. Additionally, pursuing shift differentials—where night shifts can earn $2 to $4 more per hour—along with weekend premiums, can significantly increase overall wages. Furthermore, engaging in continuous professional development through CMA certification can provide added monetary benefits in this competitive field. These strategies can help those interested in the certified nursing assistant pay trends in Bowling Green capitalize on available opportunities.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
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 $38,340 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bowling Green 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