Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Louisiana: $34,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $34,134/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $37,801 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($34,445), New Orleans ($34,320), Slidell ($34,050).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Louisiana can expect an average median salary of $34,134, which is significantly below the national median of $45,007, marking a gap of -24.2%. The highest-paying city for CNAs is Metairie, with an average salary of $36,684, while Sulphur offers the lowest at $31,209, highlighting a salary difference of $5,475 between these locations. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the availability of jobs in urban versus rural settings. Louisiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job opportunities and salaries. The demand for certified nursing assistants is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.50%, indicating a promising outlook for job seekers in this field. Major cities like New Orleans ($36,551), Slidell ($36,263), Lake Charles ($36,050), and Hammond ($35,156) also show strong salary figures, reflecting the need for CNAs in various healthcare settings throughout the state. Understanding these dynamics can aid prospective CNAs in making informed career choices within Louisiana's healthcare landscape.
Louisiana Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $26,676 (lowest entry-level) to $47,200 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana certified nursing assistants earn 24.16% less than the national median ($-10,873/year difference).
Louisiana Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Louisiana range from $30,238 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $40,227 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $34,134. The Louisiana median is $10,873 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $16.41/hr. Approximately 16,809 certified nursing assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,028
2025 BLS Actual
$32,051
2026 Current Est.
$34,134
2019–2027 Growth
+57.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,424 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,872 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.2% from $23,028 (2019) to $32,051 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,325 (57.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $31,209 |
| Zachary | $31,389 |
| Thibodaux | $31,425 |
| Natchitoches | $31,538 |
| Monroe | $31,822 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $36,050 | 85.852 | $41,991 |
| Hammond | $35,156 | 84.46 | $41,624 |
| Metairie | $36,684 | 90.3 | $40,625 |
| Shreveport | $34,250 | 84.766 | $40,405 |
| New Orleans | $36,551 | 92.597 | $39,473 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $30,238 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $34,134 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $40,227 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $36,684 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $36,551 |
| 3 | Slidell | $36,263 |
| 4 | Lake Charles | $36,050 |
| 5 | Hammond | $35,156 |
| 6 | Shreveport | $34,250 |
| 7 | Bossier City | $33,706 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge | $33,249 |
| 9 | Kenner | $33,066 |
| 10 | Alexandria | $32,642 |
| 11 | Ruston | $32,455 |
| 12 | Central | $32,422 |
| 13 | Houma | $32,099 |
| 14 | New Iberia | $31,971 |
| 15 | Lafayette | $31,907 |
| 16 | Monroe | $31,822 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $31,538 |
| 18 | Thibodaux | $31,425 |
| 19 | Zachary | $31,389 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $31,209 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Louisiana?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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