CNA Salary

Augusta vs South Fulton: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$39,554
$19.02/hr
South Fulton, GA
$39,264
$18.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASouth Fulton, GA
Median Salary$39,554$39,264
Hourly Rate$19.02$18.88
Entry Level (P10)$30,874$29,415
25th Percentile$35,752$35,213
75th Percentile$42,153$43,592
Top Earner (P90)$46,967$47,604
Total Employed2,56024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($39,554) and South Fulton ($39,264) certified nursing assistant salaries.AugustaSouth FultonMedian Salary$39,554$39,264Entry Level (P10)$30,874$29,415Top Earner (P90)$46,967$47,604US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and South Fulton is $290 (0.74%). 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,South Fulton spans $18,189. South Fulton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$30,874
P25$35,752
Median$39,554
P75$42,153
P90 (Top)$46,967
South Fulton
P10 (Entry)$29,415
P25$35,213
Median$39,264
P75$43,592
P90 (Top)$47,604

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($43,039 effective) pays 2.05% more than South Fulton ($42,174 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $39,554
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $43,039
South Fulton
Nominal: $39,264
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $42,174

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,039)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose South Fulton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,604)
  • 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 South Fulton over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+44.8%

$25,650 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

South Fulton, GA

+18.9%

$30,999 (2024) → $36,868 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Augusta or South Fulton?

Augusta has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,554/year, compared to South Fulton at $39,264/year — a difference of $290 (0.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and South Fulton?

Augusta certified nursing assistants earn $19.02/hr while South Fulton hygienists earn $18.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and South Fulton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $43,039, South Fulton = $42,174), job availability (2,560 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,874 in Augusta and $29,415 in South Fulton. 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