CNA Salary

Augusta vs Canton: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$39,554
$19.02/hr
Canton, GA
$36,885
$17.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GACanton, GA
Median Salary$39,554$36,885
Hourly Rate$19.02$17.73
Entry Level (P10)$30,874$30,654
25th Percentile$35,752$32,939
75th Percentile$42,153$41,133
Top Earner (P90)$46,967$44,635
Total Employed2,5604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($39,554) and Canton ($36,885) certified nursing assistant salaries.AugustaCantonMedian Salary$39,554$36,885Entry Level (P10)$30,874$30,654Top Earner (P90)$46,967$44,635US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Canton is $2,669 (7.24%). Augusta's median is -12.12% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $16,093,Canton spans $13,981. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$30,874
P25$35,752
Median$39,554
P75$42,153
P90 (Top)$46,967
Canton
P10 (Entry)$30,654
P25$32,939
Median$36,885
P75$41,133
P90 (Top)$44,635

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($43,039 effective) pays 8.63% more than Canton ($39,619 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $39,554
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $43,039
Canton
Nominal: $36,885
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $39,619

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,554/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($46,967)
  • Larger job market (2,560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,039)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Canton if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Augusta grew 44.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Canton over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+44.8%

$25,650 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

Canton, GA

+18.9%

$29,121 (2024) → $34,634 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Augusta or Canton?

Augusta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,554/year, compared to Canton at $36,885/year — a difference of $2,669 (7.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Canton?

Augusta certified nursing assistants earn $19.02/hr while Canton hygienists earn $17.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Canton as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Canton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $43,039, Canton = $39,619), job availability (2,560 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Augusta vs Canton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,874 in Augusta and $30,654 in Canton. The Augusta 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