CNA Salary

Augusta vs Macon: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$39,554
$19.02/hr
Macon, GA
$38,915
$18.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAMacon, GA
Median Salary$39,554$38,915
Hourly Rate$19.02$18.71
Entry Level (P10)$30,874$31,950
25th Percentile$35,752$35,944
75th Percentile$42,153$41,684
Top Earner (P90)$46,967$47,467
Total Employed2,5601,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($39,554) and Macon ($38,915) certified nursing assistant salaries.AugustaMaconMedian Salary$39,554$38,915Entry Level (P10)$30,874$31,950Top Earner (P90)$46,967$47,467US Median $45,007

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Macon.

The salary gap between Augusta and Macon is $639 (1.64%). 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,Macon spans $15,517. 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
Macon
P10 (Entry)$31,950
P25$35,944
Median$38,915
P75$41,684
P90 (Top)$47,467

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($43,958 effective) pays 2.14% more than Augusta ($43,039 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $39,554
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $43,039
Macon
Nominal: $38,915
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $43,958

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)
  • Larger job market (2,560 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Macon if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,467)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,958)
  • 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 44.1% growth in Macon over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+44.8%

$25,650 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

Macon, GA

+44.1%

$25,350 (2019) → $36,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Augusta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,554/year, compared to Macon at $38,915/year — a difference of $639 (1.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Macon?

Augusta certified nursing assistants earn $19.02/hr while Macon hygienists earn $18.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Macon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $43,039, Macon = $43,958), job availability (2,560 vs 1,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,874 in Augusta and $31,950 in Macon. The Macon 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