Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $33,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $33,249/year (≈ $15.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $36,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a certified nursing assistant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median salary of $33,249 per year, reflecting the growing demand for healthcare support professionals in the area. This salary range spans from $30,960 at the lower end (P10) to $39,693 at the higher end (P90), according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. With a significant difference between local and national averages—where the national median stands at $45,007—those considering this career must be aware of the financial implications while weighing the potential career pathway from CNA to LPN or RN. The evolving job market in Baton Rouge illustrates an increasing reliance on certified nursing assistants amid ongoing healthcare staffing challenges, especially following post-COVID recovery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,929 | $15.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $33,249 | $15.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,296 | $17.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,693 | $19.08 |
Median Salary Position
26.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $8,733 (2026 est.). At $33,249, the local median is 26.12% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baton Rouge Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $33,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $33,756 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -26.12% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $33,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.12% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% below the Louisiana state average of $33,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $33,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $36,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,450
2025 BLS Actual
$31,220
2026 Current Est.
$33,249
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 33.1% from $23,450 (2019) to $31,220 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,961 (51.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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) | $30,960 – $31,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,929 – $33,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $33,249 – $37,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,296 – $39,693 |
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 Baton Rouge
With approximately 3,500 certified nursing assistants employed in Baton Rouge, there remains a strong job market for those in this profession. The cost of living index is notably lower in this city at 90.78, which means that while salaries are below the national average, the affordability factor may enhance the effective take-home pay for CNAs. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer the highest salaries, with various incentives like shift differentials boosting income. Night shifts can attract additional pay ranging from $2 to $4 per hour, while weekends may come with premiums of $1 to $3. For CNAs looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing roles in home health agencies or rehabilitation hospitals, along with obtaining CMA certification, can be strategic choices. Shift flexibility and weekend-only roles can also provide valuable avenues for increasing hourly wages in a competitive but evolving job market within Baton Rouge, LA.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 $31,220 for certified nursing assistantsin the Baton Rouge 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