Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Augusta, ME: $42,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Augusta, ME earns a median $42,271/year (≈ $20.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $42,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Augusta, ME, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is $42,271 for the year 2026. This figure sits notably below the national median of $45,007, indicating a localized pay structure that reflects both the specific needs of the healthcare community and regional economic factors. The salary range for CNAs in this area extends from $36,994 at the lower tenth percentile to $50,187 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, provide insights into the compensation landscape, where job roles often shift between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, highlighting the differential pay realities based on the nature of the workplace.
About the Augusta Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,994 | $17.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,752 | $18.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,271 | $20.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,787 | $22.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,187 | $24.13 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, ME, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,193 (2026 est.). At $42,271, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Augusta median: $42,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $44,826 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.08% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Augusta, ME earn a median of $42,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.70% below the Maine state average of $44,826.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,441 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$27,857
2025 BLS Actual
$39,691
2026 Current Est.
$42,271
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $27,857 (2019) to $39,691 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,162 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $36,994 – $38,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,752 – $42,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,271 – $46,787 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,787 – $50,187 |
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 Augusta
With only four certified nursing assistants employed in the area, the job market in Augusta remains relatively niche, presenting opportunities for those looking to enter the field amidst a backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 99.6, slightly below the national average. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer the highest salaries, primarily due to factors like shift differentials and acuity-based pay structures. The variance in wages can be attributed to incentives such as additional pay for night and weekend shifts, which generally range from $1 to $4 extra per hour. For CNAs aiming to maximize their earning potential in Augusta, seeking positions in environments offering premium weekend roles or participating in agency work during staffing shortages can be strategic. Additionally, pursuing certification as a certified medication aide can enhance overall pay and open pathways to higher-level positions, such as LPN or RN roles, in the competitive healthcare landscape post-pandemic.
More salary data for Augusta, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Augusta, ME in 2026?
Is Augusta, ME a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Augusta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Augusta?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Augusta?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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 $39,691 for certified nursing assistantsin the Augusta 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 Augusta 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