KY · Lexington · Updated October 15, 2026

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Lexington, KY

The median certified nursing assistant pay in the Lexington area is $19.57 per hour ($40,700 a year), with the typical range running from $17.79 to $20.94. That ranks 107th of 380 U.S. metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay, and 63rd of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 7 hospitals in Lexington. The free report below lists employers near Lexington and what they pay.

More open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Lexington

9 more open roles from employers in Lexington. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

PermanentPosted yesterday

Nursing Assistant

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

Pay range with your report
  • Full time
  • Req R26106688
New this week
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PermanentPosted 5 days ago

Nursing Assistant (Endo)

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

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  • Part time
  • Req R26108006
New this week
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PermanentPosted 12 days ago

Patient Care Tech

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

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  • Full time
  • Req R26107718
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PermanentPosted 12 days ago

CDU PCT

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

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  • Full time
  • Req R26107832
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PermanentPosted 19 days ago

ED PCT

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

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  • Full time
  • Req R26107165
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PermanentPosted 21 days ago

Nursing Assistant PACU

Baptist Healthcare System · Lexington, KY

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  • Full time
  • Req R26106798
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Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Lexington, KY

The metro median is 9% above the Kentucky statewide median of $17.95 per hour. Nationally the median is $19.01 per hour. BLS counts about 3,040 nursing assistants employed in the Lexington-Fayette metro area, 10.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.19).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$16.15$33,59015% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.79$37,0006% below U.S. median
Median$19.57$40,7003% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$20.94$43,56010% above U.S. median
Top 10%$22.04$45,84016% above U.S. median

How Lexington ranks

  • 107th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 63rd of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 6 Kentucky metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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What your pay buys in Lexington

  • Overall prices in Lexington-Fayette run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 77.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $19.57 median hour buys what $21.07 buys at the national price level, 11% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Lexington paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$705
  • Per year: $35,226
  • Per month: $2,936

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lexington-Fayette metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Lexington

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$118
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,386
13-week assignment$18,018

Travel certified nursing assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Kentucky

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Lexington as they open.

All Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Kentucky

Hospitals in Lexington

CMS lists 7 hospitals in Lexington, 2 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of certified nursing assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Baptist Health Lexington
Lexington, KY
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
University Of Kentucky Hospital
Lexington, KY
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
Lexington Va Medical Center
Lexington, KY
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes
Saint Joseph Hospital
Lexington, KY
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Saint Joseph East
Lexington, KY
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Eastern State Hospital
Lexington, KY
PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedNo
The Ridge Behavioral Health System
Lexington, KY
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Fayette County

HRSA lists 4 active primary care shortage designations that include Fayette County (4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Louisville, KY65 mi$18.44/hr640,796
Jeffersonville, IN70 mi$18.44/hr52,912
Cincinnati, OH76 mi$18.82/hr314,915
Hamilton, OH94 mi$18.82/hr63,953
Middletown, OH101 mi$18.82/hr52,291
Columbus, IN113 mi$17.39/hr51,970

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Kentucky · Certified Nursing Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Kentucky

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kentucky requires for your role with the Kentucky licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Kentucky taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Kentucky state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lexington

Lexington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Lexington, KY?

Certified Nursing Assistants in the Lexington-Fayette metro area have a median pay of $19.57 per hour, about $40,700 a year. The middle half earn between $17.79 and $20.94 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lexington a good place for certified nursing assistants once cost of living is counted?

Lexington-Fayette ranks 63rd of 341 metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 107th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.

Where do certified nursing assistants work in Lexington?

CMS lists 7 hospitals in Lexington, led by Baptist Health Lexington. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Kentucky license to work in Lexington as a certified nursing assistant?

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kentucky requires for your role with the Kentucky licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lexington in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 4 active primary care shortage designations that include Fayette County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Lexington?

The federal per diem benchmark in Lexington is $118 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,386 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place certified nursing assistants in Lexington?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lexington and across Kentucky. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lexington.

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What do employers near Lexington pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · CNA near Lexington, KY
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Kentucky list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthBURIEN, WA · 7 postings$31.52/ hr$23–$41
  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 105 postings$28.55/ hr$21–$44
  • Fresenius Medical CareSan Francisco, CA · 4 postings$28.00/ hr$25–$35

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Kentucky list

2What they are offering now

Low$17Median$22.88High$30

1426 CNA postings with published pay in the US, 1213 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 1 CNA roles

  1. Patient Care Technician (PCT) – Full-timePermanent
    $18.00–$21.94/ hour
    Select Medical · Danville, KY · posted 17 days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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