Nursing Assistant Salary in Lakeland, FL
Nursing Assistants in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $36,000 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,106 take-home, or $2,592 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,140
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,232
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,106
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,940 | $16.32 | $29,451 | $2,454 |
| 25th percentile | $34,740 | $16.70 | $30,094 | $2,508 |
| Median (50th) | $36,000 | $17.31 | $31,106 | $2,592 |
| 75th percentile | $37,880 | $18.21 | $32,617 | $2,718 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,720 | $19.10 | $34,095 | $2,841 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,000 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $31,106 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,021 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lakeland, FL has 1.2× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #102 of 113 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 |
| 102 | Lakeland, FL | $36,000 | $31,106 | $32,021 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 113 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Florida
- North Port, FL — $39,950
- Gainesville, FL — $36,990
- Jacksonville, FL — $37,760
- Port St. Lucie, FL — $37,690
- Deltona, FL — $36,950
- Orlando, FL — $37,690
- Tampa, FL — $37,470
- Palm Bay, FL — $37,070
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Lakeland, FL?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $36,000 a year, or about $17.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,740 and $37,880.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $36,000 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,106 a year ($2,592 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,021 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #102 of 113 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.