CNA Salary

Atlanta vs Lawrenceville: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$41,908
$20.15/hr
Lawrenceville, GA
$38,644
$18.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GALawrenceville, GA
Median Salary$41,908$38,644
Hourly Rate$20.15$18.57
Entry Level (P10)$35,773$32,018
25th Percentile$39,746$34,347
75th Percentile$47,606$42,953
Top Earner (P90)$51,663$45,018
Total Employed23,2607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($41,908) and Lawrenceville ($38,644) certified nursing assistant salaries.AtlantaLawrencevilleMedian Salary$41,908$38,644Entry Level (P10)$35,773$32,018Top Earner (P90)$51,663$45,018US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Lawrenceville is $3,264 (8.45%). 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,Lawrenceville spans $13,000. 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
Lawrenceville
P10 (Entry)$32,018
P25$34,347
Median$38,644
P75$42,953
P90 (Top)$45,018

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($41,884 effective) pays 0.91% more than Lawrenceville ($41,508 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $41,908
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $41,884
Lawrenceville
Nominal: $38,644
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $41,508

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 Lawrenceville 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 Lawrenceville over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+41.8%

$27,750 (2019) → $39,350 (2025)

Lawrenceville, GA

+18.9%

$30,508 (2024) → $36,285 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,908/year, compared to Lawrenceville at $38,644/year — a difference of $3,264 (8.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Lawrenceville?

Atlanta certified nursing assistants earn $20.15/hr while Lawrenceville hygienists earn $18.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Lawrenceville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $41,884, Lawrenceville = $41,508), job availability (23,260 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,773 in Atlanta and $32,018 in Lawrenceville. 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