CNA Salary

Gallatin vs Nashville: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Gallatin, TN
$38,813
$18.66/hr
Nashville, TN
$42,078
$20.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGallatin, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$38,813$42,078
Hourly Rate$18.66$20.22
Entry Level (P10)$30,658$36,476
25th Percentile$35,723$39,533
75th Percentile$43,478$47,435
Top Earner (P90)$47,287$53,112
Total Employed117,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gallatin ($38,813) and Nashville ($42,078) certified nursing assistant salaries.GallatinNashvilleMedian Salary$38,813$42,078Entry Level (P10)$30,658$36,476Top Earner (P90)$47,287$53,112US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Gallatin and Nashville is $3,265 (8.41%). Nashville's median is -6.51% 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,Nashville spans $16,636. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Gallatin
P10 (Entry)$30,658
P25$35,723
Median$38,813
P75$43,478
P90 (Top)$47,287
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$36,476
P25$39,533
Median$42,078
P75$47,435
P90 (Top)$53,112

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($43,677 effective) pays 3.31% more than Gallatin ($42,280 effective).

Gallatin
Nominal: $38,813
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $42,280
Nashville
Nominal: $42,078
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $43,677

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 Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,078/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,112)
  • Larger job market (7,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,677)
  • 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 38.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Gallatin, TN

+27.9%

$28,484 (2024) → $36,444 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+38.4%

$28,540 (2019) → $39,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nashville has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,078/year, compared to Gallatin at $38,813/year — a difference of $3,265 (8.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gallatin and Nashville?

Gallatin certified nursing assistants earn $18.66/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $20.22/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gallatin and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gallatin = $42,280, Nashville = $43,677), job availability (11 vs 7,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,658 in Gallatin and $36,476 in Nashville. The Nashville 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