CNA Salary

Jackson vs Oxford: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Jackson, MS and Oxford, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jackson, MS
$34,123
$16.41/hr
Oxford, MS
$36,799
$17.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MSOxford, MS
Median Salary$34,123$36,799
Hourly Rate$16.41$17.69
Entry Level (P10)$29,831$31,087
25th Percentile$30,065$33,149
75th Percentile$38,063$41,343
Top Earner (P90)$40,406$43,594
Total Employed3,0005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($34,123) and Oxford ($36,799) certified nursing assistant salaries.JacksonOxfordMedian Salary$34,123$36,799Entry Level (P10)$29,831$31,087Top Earner (P90)$40,406$43,594US Median $45,007

Verdict

Oxford, MS offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Jackson and Oxford is $2,676 (7.84%). Oxford's median is -18.24% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $10,575,Oxford spans $12,507. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$29,831
P25$30,065
Median$34,123
P75$38,063
P90 (Top)$40,406
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$31,087
P25$33,149
Median$36,799
P75$41,343
P90 (Top)$43,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oxford ($42,939 effective) pays 12.06% more than Jackson ($38,320 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $34,123
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $38,320
Oxford
Nominal: $36,799
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $42,939

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Larger job market (3,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($43,594)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,939)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Jackson grew 34.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 50.9% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Jackson, MS

+34.8%

$23,760 (2019) → $32,040 (2025)

Oxford, MS

+50.9%

$22,893 (2024) → $34,553 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Jackson or Oxford?

Oxford has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $36,799/year, compared to Jackson at $34,123/year — a difference of $2,676 (7.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Oxford?

Jackson certified nursing assistants earn $16.41/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $17.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Oxford as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $38,320, Oxford = $42,939), job availability (3,000 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Jackson vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $29,831 in Jackson and $31,087 in Oxford. The Oxford 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