How Much Does a CNA Make in Kentucky in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Kentucky, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kentucky · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Kentucky earns about $18.45 per hour ($38,370 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's about 9% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour. Kentucky ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Roughly 23,410 CNAs work across the state, a workforce large enough to support steady openings in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
How much does a CNA make in Kentucky?
CNA pay by career stage in Kentucky
| Career stage | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,390$14.61 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,150$17.38 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,370$18.45 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,120$21.21 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,450$22.33 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Kentucky
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Kentucky · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Kentucky CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $23,980 a year in 2015 to $38,370 in 2025, a 60% rise. That trails the national decade increase of 64%. Pay rose in most of those years, with a sharp jump between 2022 and 2023. For someone starting out now, the record shows pay in this field has been moving up for ten straight years. That doesn't guarantee future raises, but it reflects real, sustained growth already banked.
CNA salary by city in Kentucky
Pay runs highest in the Louisville area, where CNAs in Jefferson County earn a typical $42,220 a year ($20.30 an hour), the top figure among Kentucky's metro areas. Lexington follows at $39,380, and Owensboro is close behind at $39,020. Ashland, at $37,140, sits at the low end, putting the gap between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas at $5,080 a year. As in most states, higher pay in cities like Louisville and Lexington tends to track a higher cost of living, so the difference isn't pure gain. Each figure above covers the full metro area, not just the city's downtown.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Kentucky | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville metro incl. Jefferson County | $42,220 | $20.30 | +10% | 7,650 |
| 2 | Lexington metro incl. Fayette | $39,380 | $18.93 | +3% | 3,250 |
| 3 | Owensboro | $39,020 | $18.76 | +2% | 890 |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $38,340 | $18.43 | 0% | 790 |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | $38,030 | $18.28 | -1% | 450 |
| 6 | Paducah | $37,860 | $18.20 | -1% | 710 |
| 7 | Ashland | $37,140 | $17.86 | -3% | 1,950 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Kentucky typical pay $38,370
How Kentucky compares with nearby states
Kentucky's neighbors show a wide range. Illinois pays CNAs about 20% more than Kentucky, and Virginia runs about 13% higher, while West Virginia pays about 4% less and Missouri and Tennessee sit close to Kentucky's own figure. Ohio and Indiana are nearly identical to Kentucky. A CNA certified in one state can often test or transfer credentials into a neighboring one, so it's worth knowing how nearby pay compares before deciding where to work.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $38,370 | baseline |
| Illinois | $45,960 | +20% |
| Virginia | $43,200 | +13% |
| Ohio | $39,010 | +2% |
| Indiana | $38,330 | 0% |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | -1% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | -2% |
| West Virginia | $36,720 | -4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Kentucky a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Kentucky sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,370 a year, 9% below the national figure, ranking 37th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Kentucky, about 12 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Kentucky's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Kentucky CNAs earn a typical $38,370 a year, a figure that has climbed 60% over the past decade. Pay is highest around Louisville and lowest in places like Ashland, and neighboring states offer a mix of higher and lower rates. For certification requirements, check Kentucky's state nurse aide registry page; for figures specific to a city, see the local pages for Louisville, Lexington, and other Kentucky metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Kentucky?
- A CNA in Kentucky typically earns **$18.45 an hour**, or about **$38,370 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay ranges from around $30,390 a year for entry-level positions to upwards of $46,450 for experienced CNAs, depending on location and experience.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Kentucky?
- Kentucky CNAs typically earn **$18.45 an hour**. Entry-level positions often start closer to $14.61 an hour, while experienced CNAs in the state can earn upwards of $22.33 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Kentucky?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Kentucky typically offer around **$14.61 an hour**, or about $30,390 a year. As CNAs gain experience, pay usually moves up toward $17.38 an hour, or roughly $36,150 a year, within the first few years on the job.
- Which city in Kentucky pays CNAs the most?
- The Louisville area, covering Jefferson County, pays CNAs the most in Kentucky, with a typical **$42,220 a year** ($20.30 an hour). Lexington follows at $39,380 a year. Ashland has the lowest typical pay among Kentucky's metro areas, at $37,140 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Kentucky higher than the national rate?
- No. Kentucky CNAs typically earn $18.45 an hour ($38,370 a year), about **9% below** the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). Kentucky ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay.