Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Monroe, LA: $31,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Monroe, LA earns a median $31,822/year (≈ $15.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.6), that paycheck buys what $38,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Louisiana, the certified nursing assistant salary is projected at a median of $31,822 for 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $45,007. This disparity is reflected in the salary range, which spans from $29,373 at the 10th percentile to $37,541 at the 90th percentile. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers highlight the ongoing challenges faced by CNAs in the region, especially amid a backdrop of shifting structural choices between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. As CNAs navigate their career paths, understanding these financial considerations helps set realistic expectations in the job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,373 | $14.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,693 | $14.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,822 | $15.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,931 | $16.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,541 | $18.05 |
Median Salary Position
29.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, LA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $8,168 (2026 est.). At $31,822, the local median is 29.3% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Monroe median: $31,822/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $33,746 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -29.30% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Monroe, LA earn a median of $31,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.30% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.70% below the Louisiana state average of $33,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe has a cost of living 16.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Monroe, LA has a cost-of-living index of 83.597 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $31,822 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,066 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$21,870
2025 BLS Actual
$29,880
2026 Current Est.
$31,822
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 36.6% from $21,870 (2019) to $29,880 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,021 (54.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $29,373 – $30,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,693 – $31,822 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,822 – $33,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,931 – $37,541 |
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 Monroe
The job market in Monroe for certified nursing assistants remains robust, with approximately 1,340 employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 83.597, indicating that the expenses in Monroe are below the national average, thus enhancing the take-home purchasing power for CNAs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher wages compared to hospitals, which can vary based on specific departments such as ICUs or surgical floors. Factors contributing to the pay spread include shift differentials, with night shifts typically earning an additional $2-4 per hour, as well as weekend premiums ranging from $1-3. To maximize earnings, CNAs in Monroe may consider seeking roles that offer premium pay for weekends or nights, exploring agency positions during staffing shortages, or pursuing additional certifications that could enhance their qualifications and marketability for higher-paying roles or advancement to LPN or RN positions.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Monroe?
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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 $29,880 for certified nursing assistantsin the Monroe 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