CNA Salary

College Station vs Dallas: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

College Station, TX
$37,925
$18.23/hr
Dallas, TX
$41,034
$19.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollege Station, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$37,925$41,034
Hourly Rate$18.23$19.73
Entry Level (P10)$32,951$38,180
25th Percentile$36,828$39,799
75th Percentile$39,299$48,127
Top Earner (P90)$46,115$52,281
Total Employed94023,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing College Station ($37,925) and Dallas ($41,034) certified nursing assistant salaries.College StationDallasMedian Salary$37,925$41,034Entry Level (P10)$32,951$38,180Top Earner (P90)$46,115$52,281US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between College Station and Dallas is $3,109 (8.20%). 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 College Station spans $13,164,Dallas spans $14,101. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

College Station
P10 (Entry)$32,951
P25$36,828
Median$37,925
P75$39,299
P90 (Top)$46,115
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, College Station ($41,698 effective) pays 4.76% more than Dallas ($39,804 effective).

College Station
Nominal: $37,925
CoL Index: 90.951
Adjusted: $41,698
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 College Station if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,698)
  • 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 College Station grew 37.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.0% growth in Dallas over the same period.

College Station, TX

+37.7%

$25,860 (2019) → $35,610 (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: College Station or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,034/year, compared to College Station at $37,925/year — a difference of $3,109 (8.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between College Station and Dallas?

College Station certified nursing assistants earn $18.23/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $19.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing College Station and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: College Station = $41,698, Dallas = $39,804), job availability (940 vs 23,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,951 in College Station 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