CNA Salary

San Antonio vs University Park: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between San Antonio, TX and University Park, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$39,192
$18.84/hr
University Park, TX
$35,930
$17.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXUniversity Park, TX
Median Salary$39,192$35,930
Hourly Rate$18.84$17.27
Entry Level (P10)$32,802$29,790
25th Percentile$37,733$31,737
75th Percentile$45,848$39,965
Top Earner (P90)$49,107$42,977
Total Employed7,0805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($39,192) and University Park ($35,930) certified nursing assistant salaries.San AntonioUniversity ParkMedian Salary$39,192$35,930Entry Level (P10)$32,802$29,790Top Earner (P90)$49,107$42,977US Median $45,007

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to University Park.

The salary gap between San Antonio and University Park is $3,262 (9.08%). San Antonio's median is -12.92% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $16,305,University Park spans $13,187. San Antonio has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$32,802
P25$37,733
Median$39,192
P75$45,848
P90 (Top)$49,107
University Park
P10 (Entry)$29,790
P25$31,737
Median$35,930
P75$39,965
P90 (Top)$42,977

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($41,378 effective) pays 10.56% more than University Park ($37,427 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $39,192
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $41,378
University Park
Nominal: $35,930
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $37,427

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,192/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,107)
  • Larger job market (7,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,378)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose University Park if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in San Antonio grew 37.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.1% growth in University Park over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+37.4%

$26,790 (2019) → $36,800 (2025)

University Park, TX

+9.1%

$30,923 (2024) → $33,737 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: San Antonio or University Park?

San Antonio has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,192/year, compared to University Park at $35,930/year — a difference of $3,262 (9.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and University Park?

San Antonio certified nursing assistants earn $18.84/hr while University Park hygienists earn $17.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to University Park as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and University Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $41,378, University Park = $37,427), job availability (7,080 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in San Antonio vs University Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,802 in San Antonio and $29,790 in University Park. The San Antonio 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