CNA Salary

Gallatin vs Memphis: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Gallatin, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gallatin, TN
$38,813
$18.66/hr
Memphis, TN
$40,481
$19.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGallatin, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$38,813$40,481
Hourly Rate$18.66$19.46
Entry Level (P10)$30,658$33,718
25th Percentile$35,723$38,766
75th Percentile$43,478$44,687
Top Earner (P90)$47,287$47,435
Total Employed114,930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gallatin ($38,813) and Memphis ($40,481) certified nursing assistant salaries.GallatinMemphisMedian Salary$38,813$40,481Entry Level (P10)$30,658$33,718Top Earner (P90)$47,287$47,435US Median $45,007

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gallatin.

The salary gap between Gallatin and Memphis is $1,668 (4.30%). Memphis's median is -10.06% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gallatin spans $16,629,Memphis spans $13,717. Gallatin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gallatin
P10 (Entry)$30,658
P25$35,723
Median$38,813
P75$43,478
P90 (Top)$47,287
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$33,718
P25$38,766
Median$40,481
P75$44,687
P90 (Top)$47,435

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($43,916 effective) pays 3.87% more than Gallatin ($42,280 effective).

Gallatin
Nominal: $38,813
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $42,280
Memphis
Nominal: $40,481
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $43,916

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gallatin if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,481/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,435)
  • Larger job market (4,930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,916)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Gallatin grew 27.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.5% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Gallatin, TN

+27.9%

$28,484 (2024) → $36,444 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+37.5%

$27,640 (2019) → $38,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Gallatin or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,481/year, compared to Gallatin at $38,813/year — a difference of $1,668 (4.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gallatin and Memphis?

Gallatin certified nursing assistants earn $18.66/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $19.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gallatin to Memphis as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gallatin and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gallatin = $42,280, Memphis = $43,916), job availability (11 vs 4,930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Gallatin vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,658 in Gallatin and $33,718 in Memphis. The Memphis 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