CNA Salary

Galveston vs San Antonio: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Galveston, TX
$38,043
$18.29/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,192
$18.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGalveston, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$38,043$39,192
Hourly Rate$18.29$18.84
Entry Level (P10)$29,937$32,802
25th Percentile$32,824$37,733
75th Percentile$42,470$45,848
Top Earner (P90)$46,303$49,107
Total Employed107,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Galveston ($38,043) and San Antonio ($39,192) certified nursing assistant salaries.GalvestonSan AntonioMedian Salary$38,043$39,192Entry Level (P10)$29,937$32,802Top Earner (P90)$46,303$49,107US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Galveston and San Antonio is $1,149 (3.02%). San Antonio's median is -12.92% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Galveston spans $16,366,San Antonio spans $16,305. Galveston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Galveston
P10 (Entry)$29,937
P25$32,824
Median$38,043
P75$42,470
P90 (Top)$46,303
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, San Antonio ($41,378 effective) pays 4.42% more than Galveston ($39,628 effective).

Galveston
Nominal: $38,043
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $39,628
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 Galveston if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,192/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,107)
  • Larger job market (7,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,378)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Galveston grew 9.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.4% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Galveston, TX

+9.1%

$32,741 (2024) → $35,721 (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: Galveston or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,192/year, compared to Galveston at $38,043/year — a difference of $1,149 (3.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Galveston and San Antonio?

Galveston certified nursing assistants earn $18.29/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.84/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Galveston and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Galveston = $39,628, San Antonio = $41,378), job availability (10 vs 7,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $29,937 in Galveston and $32,802 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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