Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lewiston, ME: $51,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lewiston, ME earns a median $51,727/year (≈ $24.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $54,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.4% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Lewiston, ME, is projected to reach a median of $51,727, reflecting a post-COVID wage reset and setting a new baseline for this critical profession. With salaries ranging from $44,176 at the 10th percentile to $64,145 at the 90th percentile, this data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates a competitive compensation landscape. When compared to the national median of $45,007, Lewiston's median represents a significant increase of approximately 14.93%. The market for certified nursing assistants in Lewiston demonstrates resilience, particularly as the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,176 | $21.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,618 | $23.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,727 | $24.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,232 | $27.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,145 | $30.84 |
Median Salary Position
14.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,969 (2026 est.). At $51,727, the local median is 14.93% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $51,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $44,824 | +15.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +14.93% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $51,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.93% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 15.40% above the Maine state average of $44,824.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 5.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 94.736 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $51,727 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,070
2025 BLS Actual
$48,570
2026 Current Est.
$51,727
2019–2027 Growth
+83.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,089 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 61.5% from $30,070 (2019) to $48,570 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,089 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,019 (83.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $44,176 – $49,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,618 – $51,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,727 – $56,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,232 – $64,145 |
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 Lewiston
Examining the local job market reveals that Lewiston employs approximately 690 certified nursing assistants, contributing to a robust community of healthcare workers. The cost of living in the area is indexed at 94.736, which is below the national average and positively impacts take-home pay for CNAs. Skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, often featuring shift differentials that add $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends. Furthermore, those who pursue additional certifications may find premium pay opportunities available, especially during staffing shortages. To maximize earnings within Lewiston's market, aspiring and current CNAs should seek positions with higher acuity care levels and consider taking on weekend-only roles or accepting agency assignments, as this can result in significantly enhanced pay. Transitioning to LPN or RN pathways can further elevate compensation and career stability in the long term.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
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 $48,570 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lewiston 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