Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $39,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $39,831/year (≈ $19.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $44,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Las Cruces, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $39,831, which reflects a significant difference from the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $32,344 at the lower end (P10) to $48,010 for the top earners (P90), highlighting the financial disparity that exists based on various employment settings. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this income potential reveals the reality for CNAs working primarily in skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals, where pay can be markedly higher due to the intensive nature of hospital work and its associated responsibilities. Understanding these nuances is critical for job seekers in Las Cruces’ competitive health care job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,344 | $15.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,329 | $18.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,831 | $19.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
Median Salary Position
11.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,666 (2026 est.). At $39,831, the local median is 11.5% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $39,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $42,464 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.50% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $39,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.50% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.20% below the New Mexico state average of $42,464.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 9.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 90.212 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,990
2025 BLS Actual
$37,400
2026 Current Est.
$39,831
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 43.9% from $25,990 (2019) to $37,400 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,430 (63.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $32,344 – $38,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,329 – $39,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,831 – $46,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,647 – $48,010 |
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 Las Cruces
Currently, there are around 390 certified nursing assistants employed in the Las Cruces area, but the prevailing cost-of-living index of 90.212 suggests that take-home pay may stretch further here than in many major urban centers. For aspiring CNAs, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer the most attractive compensation packages. Employers may provide additional financial incentives, such as shift differentials that add $2 to $4 per hour for nights and weekends, enticing wages during staffing shortages, and stipends for those with CMA certification. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, those entering the field now can anticipate an upward trajectory in pay. To maximize earnings in the Las Cruces market, candidates should consider flexible scheduling to capture premium roles and explore transitioning into LPN or RN roles for long-term career advancement.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Las Cruces, NM in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Las Cruces?
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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 $37,400 for certified nursing assistantsin the Las Cruces 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