CNA Salary

Dallas vs Corpus Christi: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$41,034
$19.73/hr
Corpus Christi, TX
$37,595
$18.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXCorpus Christi, TX
Median Salary$41,034$37,595
Hourly Rate$19.73$18.07
Entry Level (P10)$38,180$32,664
25th Percentile$39,799$33,782
75th Percentile$48,127$40,193
Top Earner (P90)$52,281$45,284
Total Employed23,4201,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($41,034) and Corpus Christi ($37,595) certified nursing assistant salaries.DallasCorpus ChristiMedian Salary$41,034$37,595Entry Level (P10)$38,180$32,664Top Earner (P90)$52,281$45,284US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Corpus Christi is $3,439 (9.15%). 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 Dallas spans $14,101,Corpus Christi spans $12,620. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$38,180
P25$39,799
Median$41,034
P75$48,127
P90 (Top)$52,281
Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$32,664
P25$33,782
Median$37,595
P75$40,193
P90 (Top)$45,284

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($40,568 effective) pays 1.92% more than Dallas ($39,804 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $41,034
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $39,804
Corpus Christi
Nominal: $37,595
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $40,568

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,568)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Dallas grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Corpus Christi over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+34.0%

$28,760 (2019) → $38,530 (2025)

Corpus Christi, TX

+31.8%

$26,790 (2019) → $35,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Dallas or Corpus Christi?

Dallas has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,034/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $37,595/year — a difference of $3,439 (9.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Corpus Christi?

Dallas certified nursing assistants earn $19.73/hr while Corpus Christi hygienists earn $18.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Corpus Christi. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $39,804, Corpus Christi = $40,568), job availability (23,420 vs 1,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,180 in Dallas and $32,664 in Corpus Christi. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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