CNA Salary

Germantown vs Memphis: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, TN
$38,959
$18.73/hr
Memphis, TN
$40,481
$19.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$38,959$40,481
Hourly Rate$18.73$19.46
Entry Level (P10)$31,015$33,718
25th Percentile$36,036$38,766
75th Percentile$43,814$44,687
Top Earner (P90)$47,748$47,435
Total Employed84,930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($38,959) and Memphis ($40,481) certified nursing assistant salaries.GermantownMemphisMedian Salary$38,959$40,481Entry Level (P10)$31,015$33,718Top Earner (P90)$47,748$47,435US Median $45,007

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Germantown.

The salary gap between Germantown and Memphis is $1,522 (3.91%). 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 Germantown spans $16,733,Memphis spans $13,717. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$31,015
P25$36,036
Median$38,959
P75$43,814
P90 (Top)$47,748
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 3.48% more than Germantown ($42,439 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $38,959
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $42,439
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 Germantown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,748)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,481/year)
  • 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 Germantown grew 27.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.5% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+27.9%

$28,592 (2024) → $36,581 (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: Germantown or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,481/year, compared to Germantown at $38,959/year — a difference of $1,522 (3.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Memphis?

Germantown certified nursing assistants earn $18.73/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $19.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $42,439, Memphis = $43,916), job availability (8 vs 4,930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $31,015 in Germantown 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