Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Norfolk, NE: $38,353 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Norfolk, NE earns a median $38,353/year (≈ $18.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $41,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Norfolk, NE, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $38,353. This is notably lower than the national median salary of $45,007, highlighting a pay gap of approximately 14.78%. The salary range for CNAs in this city spans from $33,779 at the 10th percentile to $44,641 at the 90th percentile. Such estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost dynamics. In Norfolk, job opportunities can often be categorized between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which may affect pay rates, as hospitals generally offer higher compensation due to the complexity of care provided in medical/surgical and ICU settings.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,779 | $16.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,438 | $17.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,353 | $18.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,897 | $20.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,641 | $21.46 |
Median Salary Position
14.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, NE, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,862 (2026 est.). At $38,353, the local median is 14.78% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $38,353/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $41,195 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.78% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Norfolk, NE earn a median of $38,353 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.78% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $41,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norfolk, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,353 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,275
2025 BLS Actual
$36,012
2026 Current Est.
$38,353
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,275 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,289 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,353 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,275 (2019) to $36,012 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,571 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $33,779 – $35,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,438 – $38,353 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,353 – $41,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,897 – $44,641 |
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 Norfolk
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Norfolk remains relatively small, with only six individuals employed in the area. However, the cost-of-living index in Norfolk is 91.5, suggesting that take-home earnings may stretch further locally compared to higher-cost regions. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities usually provide competitive wages, while home health agencies may offer additional flexibility. The pay disparity between the lowest and highest salaries can be influenced by various factors, including shift differentials that can boost hourly pay by $2-4 during nights or weekends, as well as premiums for agency work in response to staffing shortages. For CNAs looking to increase earnings in Norfolk, targeting nighttime shifts or weekend-only positions, as well as pursuing CMA certification stipends, may be effective strategies. Transitioning into LPN or RN roles via bridge programs can also open pathways for higher compensation and career advancement within the healthcare sector in this region.
More salary data for Norfolk, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Norfolk?
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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 $36,012 for certified nursing assistantsin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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