CNA Salary

Fort Worth vs San Antonio: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Fort Worth, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Worth, TX
$40,767
$19.60/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,192
$18.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Worth, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$40,767$39,192
Hourly Rate$19.60$18.84
Entry Level (P10)$32,472$32,802
25th Percentile$35,771$37,733
75th Percentile$47,204$45,848
Top Earner (P90)$53,236$49,107
Total Employed2197,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Worth ($40,767) and San Antonio ($39,192) certified nursing assistant salaries.Fort WorthSan AntonioMedian Salary$40,767$39,192Entry Level (P10)$32,472$32,802Top Earner (P90)$53,236$49,107US Median $45,007

Verdict

Fort Worth, TX offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Fort Worth and San Antonio is $1,575 (4.02%). Fort Worth's median is -9.42% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Worth spans $20,764,San Antonio spans $16,305. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$32,472
P25$35,771
Median$40,767
P75$47,204
P90 (Top)$53,236
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$32,802
P25$37,733
Median$39,192
P75$45,848
P90 (Top)$49,107

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($42,466 effective) pays 2.63% more than San Antonio ($41,378 effective).

Fort Worth
Nominal: $40,767
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $42,466
San Antonio
Nominal: $39,192
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $41,378

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,767/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,236)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,466)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (7,080 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Fort Worth grew 9.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.4% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Fort Worth, TX

+9.3%

$35,021 (2024) → $38,279 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+37.4%

$26,790 (2019) → $36,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Fort Worth or San Antonio?

Fort Worth has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,767/year, compared to San Antonio at $39,192/year — a difference of $1,575 (4.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Worth and San Antonio?

Fort Worth certified nursing assistants earn $19.60/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Worth to San Antonio as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Worth and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Worth = $42,466, San Antonio = $41,378), job availability (219 vs 7,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Fort Worth vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,472 in Fort Worth and $32,802 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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