Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lexington, KY: $41,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lexington, KY earns a median $41,940/year (≈ $20.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $45,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Lexington, Kentucky, can expect an annual median salary of $41,940, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for these positions spans from $35,241 at the 10th percentile to $49,980 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variety in roles and responsibilities across different types of employers within the region. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that the pay for certified nursing assistants in Lexington is affected by the type of facility they work in, whether it’s a skilled nursing facility or a hospital. Understanding these nuances can provide valuable insight for prospective CNAs looking to establish their careers in an evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,241 | $16.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,873 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,940 | $20.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,680 | $22.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,980 | $24.03 |
Median Salary Position
6.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,739 (2026 est.). At $41,940, the local median is 6.81% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $41,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $41,198 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.81% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lexington, KY earn a median of $41,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.80% above the Kentucky state average of $41,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,890
2025 BLS Actual
$39,380
2026 Current Est.
$41,940
2019–2027 Growth
+54.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 36.3% from $28,890 (2019) to $39,380 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,776 (54.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $35,241 – $38,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,873 – $41,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,940 – $47,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,680 – $49,980 |
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 Lexington
A total of 3,250 certified nursing assistants are employed in Lexington, contributing to a competitive job market. Despite the median salary being lower than the national average, the local cost-of-living index is at 92.889, suggesting that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power in the area. Employment in skilled nursing facilities typically offers higher pay compared to hospitals, particularly for medical/surgical floors and ICU roles, which may have varying pay grades based on factors such as shift differentials and acuity levels. To maximize earnings in Lexington, CNAs should consider taking on night shifts, which often pay an additional $2-4 per hour, and explore weekend-only roles that may offer extra premiums. Opting for positions in home health or hospice services could also yield competitive pay, especially during staffing shortages when agency premiums are common. Career advancement toward LPN or RN can further enhance earning potential and job satisfaction within the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Lexington?
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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 $39,380 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lexington 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