CNA Salary

Mobile vs Pelham: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Mobile, AL
$32,887
$15.82/hr
Pelham, AL
$32,998
$15.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$32,887$32,998
Hourly Rate$15.82$15.87
Entry Level (P10)$30,821$28,816
25th Percentile$31,726$30,206
75th Percentile$38,287$35,829
Top Earner (P90)$39,181$37,897
Total Employed2,1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($32,887) and Pelham ($32,998) certified nursing assistant salaries.MobilePelhamMedian Salary$32,887$32,998Entry Level (P10)$30,821$28,816Top Earner (P90)$39,181$37,897US Median $45,007

Verdict

Mobile and Pelham are closely matched on overall certified nursing assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Mobile and Pelham is $111 (0.34%). Pelham's median is -26.68% 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,Pelham spans $9,081. Pelham 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
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$28,816
P25$30,206
Median$32,998
P75$35,829
P90 (Top)$37,897

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pelham ($37,540 effective) pays 0.56% more than Mobile ($37,330 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $32,887
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $37,330
Pelham
Nominal: $32,998
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $37,540

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($39,181)
  • Larger job market (2,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • Higher median salary ($32,998/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $37,540)
  • 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 27.1% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+33.0%

$23,220 (2019) → $30,880 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+27.1%

$24,386 (2024) → $30,984 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Pelham has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $32,998/year, compared to Mobile at $32,887/year — a difference of $111 (0.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Pelham?

Mobile certified nursing assistants earn $15.82/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $15.87/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $37,330, Pelham = $37,540), job availability (2,100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,821 in Mobile and $28,816 in Pelham. The Mobile 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