CNA Salary

Atlanta vs Savannah: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$41,908
$20.15/hr
Savannah, GA
$40,949
$19.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$41,908$40,949
Hourly Rate$20.15$19.68
Entry Level (P10)$35,773$34,634
25th Percentile$39,746$38,031
75th Percentile$47,606$42,312
Top Earner (P90)$51,663$45,902
Total Employed23,2601,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($41,908) and Savannah ($40,949) certified nursing assistant salaries.AtlantaSavannahMedian Salary$41,908$40,949Entry Level (P10)$35,773$34,634Top Earner (P90)$51,663$45,902US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Savannah is $959 (2.34%). 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,Savannah spans $11,268. 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
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$34,634
P25$38,031
Median$40,949
P75$42,312
P90 (Top)$45,902

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($43,011 effective) pays 2.69% more than Atlanta ($41,884 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $41,908
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $41,884
Savannah
Nominal: $40,949
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $43,011

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)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,011)
  • 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 51.0% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+41.8%

$27,750 (2019) → $39,350 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+51.0%

$25,460 (2019) → $38,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,908/year, compared to Savannah at $40,949/year — a difference of $959 (2.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Savannah?

Atlanta certified nursing assistants earn $20.15/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $19.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $41,884, Savannah = $43,011), job availability (23,260 vs 1,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,773 in Atlanta and $34,634 in Savannah. 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