Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New Orleans, LA: $36,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in New Orleans, LA earns a median $36,551/year (≈ $17.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $39,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in New Orleans, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $36,551, reflecting the impact of a wage reset following the COVID-19 pandemic. The salary range for this occupation spans from $30,555 at the 10th percentile to $40,704 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear view of what workers in this field might earn based on experience and specific roles. According to data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this represents a significant shift in the local job market, even though salaries still lag behind the national median of $45,007 by approximately 18.79%. With the recent surge in healthcare demand, the expectations for CNAs in New Orleans have adjusted, providing a more competitive salary floor in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,555 | $14.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,227 | $15.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,551 | $17.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,213 | $18.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40,704 | $19.57 |
Median Salary Position
18.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,149 (2026 est.). At $36,551, the local median is 18.79% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be above the median
How New Orleans Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $36,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $33,750 | +8.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.79% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $36,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.79% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 8.30% above the Louisiana state average of $33,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,551 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,473 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,810
2025 BLS Actual
$34,320
2026 Current Est.
$36,551
2019–2027 Growth
+63.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 44.1% from $23,810 (2019) to $34,320 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,117 (63.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $30,555 – $32,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,227 – $36,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,551 – $39,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,213 – $40,704 |
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 New Orleans
A robust local workforce of about 3,660 certified nursing assistants indicates a stable job market in New Orleans. This is coupled with a cost-of-living index of 92.597, which suggests that the city is more affordable than many national averages, allowing CNAs to enjoy a better purchasing power relative to their salaries. Top-paying employers typically include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where shifts involving nights or weekends can add $2 to $4 per hour in differential pay. Factors contributing to the spread between low and high compensation levels include agency premium rates during times of high demand and additional stipends for those holding Certified Medication Aide (CMA) certification. Aspiring CNAs can best maximize their earnings by seeking weekend-only positions, focusing on high-acuity facilities, and considering the potential for bridging their careers into LPN or RN roles for further advancement.
More salary data for New Orleans, 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
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 $34,320 for certified nursing assistantsin the New Orleans 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