Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Zachary, LA: $15.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Zachary, LA runs $15.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $31,389 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Zachary's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zachary, Louisiana, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $15.09 by 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64, emphasizing the regional pay scale's variance. For part-time workers averaging three days a week, this translates to approximately $483 weekly, which can offer a steady income in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health services. With hourly rates ranging from $13.30 for entry-level positions to $18.01 for skilled CNAs, those in Zachary have the opportunity to earn competitively within the local market, particularly in facilities that require specialized care or weekend shifts. The flexibility of the role also extends to per diem certified nursing assistants, who may find themselves navigating diverse patient environments.
About the Zachary Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($30,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.30 | $106.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.92 | $111.36 |
| Median (P50) | $15.09 | $120.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.91 | $127.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zachary
Based on $15.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.09/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zachary, LA can expect to earn approximately $31,389 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $18,109. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zachary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zachary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $603.64 | $2,616 | $31,389 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $362.19 | $1,569 | $18,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $241.46 | $1,046 | $12,556 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Zachary) | $15.09 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
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.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.09/hr = $18,834/year (purchasing power: $20,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $31,389/year (purchasing power: $34,761).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$9.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $10.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $10.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $12.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Zachary grew 42.5% from $9.95/hr (2019) to $14.17/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Zachary
Examining the earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants reveals that those working 24 hours a week may take home about $25,026 annually, a stark contrast to the full-time earnings common in this field. Per-diem and agency CNAs in Zachary can expect different rates, often billing between $22 to $32 per hour, with weekends sometimes fetching up to $30-$45 in premium contracts. Though travel CNA contracts have emerged post-COVID, they remain less common compared to nursing travel options. Hourly rates vary significantly across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health services often offering differing wages. As such, many certified nursing assistants may choose lower base pay for the benefits of health insurance and stable work hours. It's advisable for CNAs to negotiate compensation based on their unique work circumstances and the demand within Zachary's healthcare sector.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Zachary. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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