CNA salary in Kentucky
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A CNA in Kentucky earns a median of $38,370 a year ($18.45/hour equivalent), 9.2% below the national median of $42,260. Kentucky ranks #37 of 51 states. About 23,410 people do this job in Kentucky.
Take-home pay in Kentucky
At the Kentucky median, a single filer keeps about $31,785 a year after federal, FICA and Kentucky taxes — $1,222 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Kentucky paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,475.77
- Federal income tax
- −$93.25
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$91.50
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.40
- Kentucky income tax
- −$47.13
- Take-home pay
- $1,222.50
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $38,370
- Federal
- $2,424
- FICA
- $2,935
- State + local
- $1,225
- Net
- $31,785
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 3.5%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Kentucky compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oregon | $49,830 |
| #2 | Washington | $49,180 |
| #3 | New York | $48,590 |
| #4 | New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| #5 | District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| #37 | Kentucky | $38,370 |
| #49 | Alabama | $34,140 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $31,520 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $30,510 |
See the national CNA salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a CNA make in Kentucky?
The median salary is $38,370 a year and the average is $39,170 (BLS May 2025).
Is Kentucky a good state for nursing assistants?
Kentucky ranks #37 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 9% below the national median of $42,260.
What is $38,370 after taxes in Kentucky?
About $31,785 a year ($1,222 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.