CNA Salary

Augusta vs Rome: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$39,554
$19.02/hr
Rome, GA
$39,639
$19.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GARome, GA
Median Salary$39,554$39,639
Hourly Rate$19.02$19.06
Entry Level (P10)$30,874$32,696
25th Percentile$35,752$38,468
75th Percentile$42,153$39,767
Top Earner (P90)$46,967$46,477
Total Employed2,560890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($39,554) and Rome ($39,639) certified nursing assistant salaries.AugustaRomeMedian Salary$39,554$39,639Entry Level (P10)$30,874$32,696Top Earner (P90)$46,967$46,477US Median $45,007

Verdict

Augusta and Rome are closely matched on overall certified nursing assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Augusta and Rome is $85 (0.21%). Rome's median is -11.93% 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,Rome spans $13,781. 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
Rome
P10 (Entry)$32,696
P25$38,468
Median$39,639
P75$39,767
P90 (Top)$46,477

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rome ($43,965 effective) pays 2.15% more than Augusta ($43,039 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $39,554
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $43,039
Rome
Nominal: $39,639
CoL Index: 90.161
Adjusted: $43,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($46,967)
  • Larger job market (2,560 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,639/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,965)
  • 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 38.8% growth in Rome over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+44.8%

$25,650 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

Rome, GA

+38.8%

$26,820 (2019) → $37,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rome has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,639/year, compared to Augusta at $39,554/year — a difference of $85 (0.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Rome?

Augusta certified nursing assistants earn $19.02/hr while Rome hygienists earn $19.06/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $43,039, Rome = $43,965), job availability (2,560 vs 890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,874 in Augusta and $32,696 in Rome. The Rome 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