CNA Salary

Mobile vs Montgomery: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Mobile, AL and Montgomery, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$32,887
$15.82/hr
Montgomery, AL
$37,499
$18.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$32,887$37,499
Hourly Rate$15.82$18.03
Entry Level (P10)$30,821$31,141
25th Percentile$31,726$32,440
75th Percentile$38,287$40,289
Top Earner (P90)$39,181$42,579
Total Employed2,1001,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($32,887) and Montgomery ($37,499) certified nursing assistant salaries.MobileMontgomeryMedian Salary$32,887$37,499Entry Level (P10)$30,821$31,141Top Earner (P90)$39,181$42,579US Median $45,007

Verdict

Montgomery, AL offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mobile.

The salary gap between Mobile and Montgomery is $4,612 (14.02%). Montgomery's median is -16.68% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $8,360,Montgomery spans $11,438. Montgomery has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$30,821
P25$31,726
Median$32,887
P75$38,287
P90 (Top)$39,181
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$31,141
P25$32,440
Median$37,499
P75$40,289
P90 (Top)$42,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montgomery ($41,813 effective) pays 12.01% more than Mobile ($37,330 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $32,887
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $37,330
Montgomery
Nominal: $37,499
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $41,813

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Larger job market (2,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,499/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($42,579)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,813)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Mobile grew 33.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.1% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+33.0%

$23,220 (2019) → $30,880 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+44.1%

$24,440 (2019) → $35,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Mobile or Montgomery?

Montgomery has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $37,499/year, compared to Mobile at $32,887/year — a difference of $4,612 (14.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Montgomery?

Mobile certified nursing assistants earn $15.82/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $18.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Montgomery as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $37,330, Montgomery = $41,813), job availability (2,100 vs 1,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Mobile vs Montgomery?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,821 in Mobile and $31,141 in Montgomery. The Montgomery 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