Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Louisville, KY: $44,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Louisville, KY earns a median $44,911/year (≈ $21.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $50,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the certified nursing assistant salary in Louisville is projected to reach a median annual figure of $44,911 in 2026. This reflects a modest decrease compared to the national median of $45,007, indicating that while local pay aligns closely with broader national trends, it also sees some regional variance. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in the area spans from $33,402 at the 10th percentile to $57,040 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse landscape in compensation depending on experience and workplace setting. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, present a post-COVID wage reset, positioning Louisville as a competitive market for this essential role amidst a recovering healthcare sector.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,402 | $16.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,619 | $18.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,911 | $21.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,168 | $24.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,040 | $27.42 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,638 (2026 est.). At $44,911, the local median is 0.21% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Louisville median: $44,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $41,203 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -0.21% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Louisville, KY earn a median of $44,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $41,203.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $44,911 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,292 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,597
2025 BLS Actual
$42,170
2026 Current Est.
$44,911
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,597 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,245 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,597 (2019) to $42,170 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,233 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $33,402 – $37,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,619 – $44,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,911 – $51,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,168 – $57,040 |
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 Louisville
On the ground, Louisville's job market supports roughly 132 certified nursing assistants, representing a solid foundation for employment opportunities in the area. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 further enhances take-home purchasing power, making salaries stretch a bit further than in many U.S. urban centers. Top employers, including skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, tend to offer the highest wages, with additional compensation stemming from shift differentials—typically $2-4/hour for nights and $1-3 for weekends. Moreover, premium pay may accompany roles at home health agencies and rehabilitation centers, especially during staffing shortages. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications beyond the CNA level, like CMA or considering educational pathways toward LPN or RN, can open doors to better opportunities and higher pay in this dynamic environment of healthcare in Louisville, KY.
More salary data for Louisville, 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 $42,170 for certified nursing assistantsin the Louisville 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
Salary data for Louisville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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