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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$38,370/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$18.45/hr
▼ 9% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
23,410
public U.S. Median
$42,260
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$42,558 #28 of 51

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in Kentucky, explained

Certified nursing assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $38,370 per year ($18.45 per hour), which is 9% below the national median of $42,260. Entry-level workers earn around $30,390, while the most experienced certified nursing assistants reach about $46,450. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $38,370 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $38,370 is worth about $42,558 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #28 for real pay (vs #37 on the sticker number).

See the full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$30,390
$14.61/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$38,370
$18.45/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$46,450
$22.33/hr

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $38,370 $42,558 —
Illinois $45,960 $45,979 −$7,590
Virginia $43,200 $42,728 −$4,830
Ohio $39,010 $42,048 −$640
Indiana $38,330 $41,070 +$40
Tennessee $37,990 $41,352 +$380
Missouri $37,680 $41,490 +$690
West Virginia $36,720 $41,029 +$1,650

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Kentucky?

Certified nursing assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $38,370 per year ($18.45 per hour), compared with $42,260 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay certified nursing assistants well?

At $38,370, Kentucky pays 9% below the national median for certified nursing assistants. An estimated 23,410 work in the state.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in other states

Oregon · $49,830 Washington · $49,180 New York · $48,590 New Hampshire · $47,870 District of Columbia · $47,700 California · $47,630 Colorado · $47,380 Vermont · $47,130 Maine · $47,070 New Jersey · $46,830 Massachusetts · $46,680 Minnesota · $46,680

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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