CNA Salary

Dothan vs Mobile: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dothan, AL
$31,769
$15.27/hr
Mobile, AL
$32,887
$15.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDothan, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$31,769$32,887
Hourly Rate$15.27$15.82
Entry Level (P10)$25,209$30,821
25th Percentile$28,329$31,726
75th Percentile$36,434$38,287
Top Earner (P90)$39,501$39,181
Total Employed9302,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dothan ($31,769) and Mobile ($32,887) certified nursing assistant salaries.DothanMobileMedian Salary$31,769$32,887Entry Level (P10)$25,209$30,821Top Earner (P90)$39,501$39,181US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dothan and Mobile is $1,118 (3.52%). Mobile's median is -26.93% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dothan spans $14,292,Mobile spans $8,360. Dothan has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dothan
P10 (Entry)$25,209
P25$28,329
Median$31,769
P75$36,434
P90 (Top)$39,501
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$30,821
P25$31,726
Median$32,887
P75$38,287
P90 (Top)$39,181

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dothan ($37,896 effective) pays 1.52% more than Mobile ($37,330 effective).

Dothan
Nominal: $31,769
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $37,896
Mobile
Nominal: $32,887
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $37,330

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dothan if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($39,501)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $37,896)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($32,887/year)
  • Larger job market (2,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Dothan grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.0% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Dothan, AL

+30.0%

$22,950 (2019) → $29,830 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+33.0%

$23,220 (2019) → $30,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Dothan or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $32,887/year, compared to Dothan at $31,769/year — a difference of $1,118 (3.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dothan and Mobile?

Dothan certified nursing assistants earn $15.27/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $15.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dothan to Mobile as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dothan and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dothan = $37,896, Mobile = $37,330), job availability (930 vs 2,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Dothan vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $25,209 in Dothan and $30,821 in Mobile. The Mobile 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