CNA Salary

Carrollton vs Dallas: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Carrollton, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrollton, TX
$38,388
$18.46/hr
Dallas, TX
$41,034
$19.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$38,388$41,034
Hourly Rate$18.46$19.73
Entry Level (P10)$28,990$38,180
25th Percentile$34,573$39,799
75th Percentile$42,737$48,127
Top Earner (P90)$49,380$52,281
Total Employed2023,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($38,388) and Dallas ($41,034) certified nursing assistant salaries.CarrolltonDallasMedian Salary$38,388$41,034Entry Level (P10)$28,990$38,180Top Earner (P90)$49,380$52,281US Median $45,007

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrollton.

The salary gap between Carrollton and Dallas is $2,646 (6.89%). Dallas's median is -8.83% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $20,390,Dallas spans $14,101. Carrollton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$28,990
P25$34,573
Median$38,388
P75$42,737
P90 (Top)$49,380
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$38,180
P25$39,799
Median$41,034
P75$48,127
P90 (Top)$52,281

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carrollton ($39,988 effective) pays 0.46% more than Dallas ($39,804 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $38,388
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $39,988
Dallas
Nominal: $41,034
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $39,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,988)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,034/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,281)
  • Larger job market (23,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Carrollton grew 9.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.0% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+9.1%

$33,039 (2024) → $36,045 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+34.0%

$28,760 (2019) → $38,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Carrollton or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,034/year, compared to Carrollton at $38,388/year — a difference of $2,646 (6.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Dallas?

Carrollton certified nursing assistants earn $18.46/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $19.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Dallas as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $39,988, Dallas = $39,804), job availability (20 vs 23,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Carrollton vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $28,990 in Carrollton and $38,180 in Dallas. The Dallas 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