CNA Salary

Birmingham vs Hoover: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Birmingham, AL and Hoover, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$37,776
$18.16/hr
Hoover, AL
$36,028
$17.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHoover, AL
Median Salary$37,776$36,028
Hourly Rate$18.16$17.32
Entry Level (P10)$31,737$28,771
25th Percentile$33,196$31,373
75th Percentile$39,043$40,480
Top Earner (P90)$41,652$44,421
Total Employed6,38017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($37,776) and Hoover ($36,028) certified nursing assistant salaries.BirminghamHooverMedian Salary$37,776$36,028Entry Level (P10)$31,737$28,771Top Earner (P90)$41,652$44,421US Median $45,007

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hoover.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Hoover is $1,748 (4.85%). Birmingham's median is -16.07% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $9,915,Hoover spans $15,650. Hoover has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$31,737
P25$33,196
Median$37,776
P75$39,043
P90 (Top)$41,652
Hoover
P10 (Entry)$28,771
P25$31,373
Median$36,028
P75$40,480
P90 (Top)$44,421

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($41,220 effective) pays 0.57% more than Hoover ($40,987 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $37,776
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $41,220
Hoover
Nominal: $36,028
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $40,987

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,776/year)
  • Larger job market (6,380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,220)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Hoover if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($44,421)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Birmingham grew 46.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Hoover over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+46.1%

$24,270 (2019) → $35,470 (2025)

Hoover, AL

+27.1%

$26,625 (2024) → $33,829 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Birmingham or Hoover?

Birmingham has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $37,776/year, compared to Hoover at $36,028/year — a difference of $1,748 (4.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Hoover?

Birmingham certified nursing assistants earn $18.16/hr while Hoover hygienists earn $17.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Hoover as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Hoover. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $41,220, Hoover = $40,987), job availability (6,380 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Birmingham vs Hoover?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $31,737 in Birmingham and $28,771 in Hoover. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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