Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $32,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Wichita Falls, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $32,280 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 89.5 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,062 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($40,332) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants starting their careers in Wichita Falls, Texas, can expect a starting salary of approximately $32,280 in 2026, a figure that sets the stage for future growth as they gain experience. This entry-level pay marks a significant gap from the median annual salary of $40,332 for CNAs in the city, highlighting the upward trajectory that new graduates can anticipate over their first few years in the field. From their initial position, new CNAs may progress towards the 25th percentile earning $37,584 and eventually reach or surpass the median as they accumulate skills, navigate workplace challenges, and adapt to the healthcare environment. Given the projected annual growth rate of 6.50% for the profession, Wichita Falls presents a promising market for recent graduates keen to build their careers in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Wichita Falls, TX typically start between $32,280 and $37,584 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,584 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $40,332 — 10.39% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Texas of $1,800 represents just 5.58% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($32,280/year) in Wichita Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Wichita Falls
- 1Research the Wichita Falls market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $32,280 to $37,584, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wichita Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Wichita Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Wichita Falls is $18,584 ( 57.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $32,280, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,864.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$20,230
2025 BLS Actual
$30,310
2026 Current Est.
$32,280
2019–2027 Growth
+69.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,378 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita Falls, TX grew 49.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $20,230 in 2019 to $30,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $34,378. New graduates entering the Wichita Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, various healthcare facilities actively recruit new graduates for certified nursing assistant roles, particularly skilled nursing facilities which often implement paid training programs. While hospitals tend to favor applicants with prior experience, many have developed apprenticeship pathways that allow dedicated newcomers to step into the workforce. For candidates looking to enhance their entry level certified nursing assistant salary in Wichita Falls, certain credentials can make a difference. Obtaining state CNA certification, completing CPR/BLS training, or pursuing additional certifications in areas such as medication administration or dementia care can lead to better pay. The first three years in the field generally offer a gradual increase in earnings as CNAs often leverage their experience to transition to higher roles, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). Realistic salary growth expectations indicate that early-career CNAs could steadily move toward figures closer to the city median as they gain valuable experience in a post-COVID healthcare landscape that still grapples with staffing challenges.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Wichita Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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