CNA Salary

Houston vs Pearland: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$40,438
$19.45/hr
Pearland, TX
$37,585
$18.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPearland, TX
Median Salary$40,438$37,585
Hourly Rate$19.45$18.07
Entry Level (P10)$34,730$30,059
25th Percentile$38,713$32,914
75th Percentile$49,097$42,365
Top Earner (P90)$50,428$46,642
Total Employed19,23019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($40,438) and Pearland ($37,585) certified nursing assistant salaries.HoustonPearlandMedian Salary$40,438$37,585Entry Level (P10)$34,730$30,059Top Earner (P90)$50,428$46,642US Median $45,007

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pearland.

The salary gap between Houston and Pearland is $2,853 (7.59%). Houston's median is -10.15% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $15,698,Pearland spans $16,583. Pearland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$34,730
P25$38,713
Median$40,438
P75$49,097
P90 (Top)$50,428
Pearland
P10 (Entry)$30,059
P25$32,914
Median$37,585
P75$42,365
P90 (Top)$46,642

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($41,000 effective) pays 4.72% more than Pearland ($39,151 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $40,438
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $41,000
Pearland
Nominal: $37,585
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $39,151

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,438/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,428)
  • Larger job market (19,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,000)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Pearland if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Houston grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.1% growth in Pearland over the same period.

Houston, TX

+38.3%

$27,450 (2019) → $37,970 (2025)

Pearland, TX

+9.1%

$32,348 (2024) → $35,291 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Houston or Pearland?

Houston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,438/year, compared to Pearland at $37,585/year — a difference of $2,853 (7.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pearland?

Houston certified nursing assistants earn $19.45/hr while Pearland hygienists earn $18.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Pearland as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pearland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $41,000, Pearland = $39,151), job availability (19,230 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Houston vs Pearland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $34,730 in Houston and $30,059 in Pearland. The Houston 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