CNA Salary

Atlanta vs Griffin: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Atlanta, GA and Griffin, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$41,908
$20.15/hr
Griffin, GA
$36,198
$17.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAGriffin, GA
Median Salary$41,908$36,198
Hourly Rate$20.15$17.40
Entry Level (P10)$35,773$30,841
25th Percentile$39,746$32,576
75th Percentile$47,606$39,547
Top Earner (P90)$51,663$41,964
Total Employed23,2605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($41,908) and Griffin ($36,198) certified nursing assistant salaries.AtlantaGriffinMedian Salary$41,908$36,198Entry Level (P10)$35,773$30,841Top Earner (P90)$51,663$41,964US Median $45,007

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Griffin.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Griffin is $5,710 (15.77%). Atlanta's median is -6.89% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $15,890,Griffin spans $11,123. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$35,773
P25$39,746
Median$41,908
P75$47,606
P90 (Top)$51,663
Griffin
P10 (Entry)$30,841
P25$32,576
Median$36,198
P75$39,547
P90 (Top)$41,964

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($41,884 effective) pays 7.72% more than Griffin ($38,881 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $41,908
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $41,884
Griffin
Nominal: $36,198
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $38,881

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,908/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,663)
  • Larger job market (23,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,884)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Griffin if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Atlanta grew 41.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Griffin over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+41.8%

$27,750 (2019) → $39,350 (2025)

Griffin, GA

+18.9%

$28,578 (2024) → $33,989 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Atlanta or Griffin?

Atlanta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,908/year, compared to Griffin at $36,198/year — a difference of $5,710 (15.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Griffin?

Atlanta certified nursing assistants earn $20.15/hr while Griffin hygienists earn $17.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Griffin as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Griffin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $41,884, Griffin = $38,881), job availability (23,260 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Atlanta vs Griffin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,773 in Atlanta and $30,841 in Griffin. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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