Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Zachary, LA: $31,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Zachary, LA earns a median $31,389/year (≈ $15.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Zachary's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $34,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Zachary, Louisiana, is projected to be $31,389, reflecting a post-COVID wage reset that has reshaped compensation structures in the healthcare sector. For professionals in this field, salaries range from a low of $27,675 to a high of $37,455, offering a spectrum of opportunities depending on experience and workplace setting. These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, indicate that while Zachary’s compensation is significantly below the national median of $45,007, the employment landscape is starting to stabilize, which could lead to more opportunities for growth in the coming years.
About the Zachary Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($30,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,675 | $13.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,389 | $15.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,103 | $15.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,455 | $18.01 |
Median Salary Position
30.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zachary
In Zachary, LA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,780 (2026 est.). At $31,389, the local median is 30.26% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Zachary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Zachary Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Zachary median: $31,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Zachary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $33,751 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -30.26% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Zachary, LA earn a median of $31,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.26% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $33,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Zachary has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Zachary, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $31,389 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $34,761 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$20,685
2025 BLS Actual
$29,473
2026 Current Est.
$31,389
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20,685 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,515 | Actual |
| 2021 | $21,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,195 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,429 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zachary metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $20,685 (2019) to $29,473 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,744 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zachary 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) | $27,675 – $28,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,950 – $31,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,389 – $33,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,103 – $37,455 |
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 Zachary
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently six certified nursing assistants employed in Zachary. The cost of living index is notably low at 90.3, highlighting the affordable lifestyle that those in the profession can achieve despite the lower salaries compared to national standards. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offer the most competitive pay, particularly in roles requiring night shifts or weekend availability, which can command an additional $2-4 per hour. The disparity in pay between the lower and upper ranges can also be attributed to factors such as agency premiums during staffing shortages and potential stipends for CNAs obtaining CMA certification. For those looking to maximize their pay, seeking employment in facilities with higher acuity levels or flexible weekend-only shifts could be a strategic move in the Zachary market.
More salary data for Zachary, 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 $29,473 for certified nursing assistantsin the Zachary 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 Zachary 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