Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $18.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Auburn, AL runs $18.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,839 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,701 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Auburn, Alabama, the typical certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $18.19 in 2026, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median hourly rate of $21.64. For part-time workers who might typically serve three days a week, this pay translates to an income of around $1,455 monthly before taxes, making it essential to understand how this rate applies across various healthcare settings. Certified nursing assistants in Auburn work in environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies, often undertaking demanding tasks. Ranging from $14.27 for entry-level positions to $23.76 for those with more experience, these figures indicate that there are opportunities for advancement within the role, though the earnings are tempered by regional economic conditions reflected in Auburn’s cost of living index being below the national average.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.27 | $114.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.10 | $128.82 |
| Median (P50) | $18.19 | $145.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.32 | $178.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.76 | $190.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $18.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.19/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $37,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,828. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $727.61 | $3,153 | $37,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $436.56 | $1,892 | $22,701 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $291.04 | $1,261 | $15,134 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Auburn) | $18.19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Auburn, AL earn a median of $37,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.00% above the Alabama state average of $35,698.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.19/hr = $22,701/year (purchasing power: $25,817).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,836/year (purchasing power: $43,028).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+75.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Auburn grew 54.3% from $11.07/hr (2019) to $17.08/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Auburn
For part-time certified nursing assistants working in Auburn, choosing to work 24 hours a week can offer substantial earnings potential compared to full-time employment, especially when agencies often pay their CNAs anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour in some situations. Notably, per diem certified nursing assistant pay can reach premium levels during weekends, with contracts sometimes boasting rates between $30 and $45 per hour in urgent markets. Hourly rates across different employer types in Auburn also vary significantly; while skilled nursing facilities might stick closely to regional pay scales, hospitals and rehabilitation centers often offer higher rates and shift differentials to attract workers during peak periods. This variation means CNAs need to consider their benefits carefully. Transitioning to higher hourly wages often comes with trade-offs, such as a lack of health insurance. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, careful negotiation regarding wages and contract terms is key, especially in a market still recovering from recent healthcare workforce shortages.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Auburn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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