Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Pensacola, FL: $18.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Pensacola, FL runs $18.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,798 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Pensacola's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.7, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,273 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Pensacola, Florida, is projected to be $18.65, which is significantly lower than the national average of $21.64. This hourly rate reflects the earnings of CNAs working in various settings including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and assisted living communities. For part-time workers, particularly those on a three-day-a-week schedule, this translates to an annual income that is reflective of the hourly rate. The hourly pay range in Pensacola varies from $16.94 for entry-level positions up to $23.14 for top earners, aligning well with entry positions in comparable markets. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and serves as an essential reference for both current and aspiring certified nursing assistants in the area.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.94 | $135.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.02 | $144.16 |
| Median (P50) | $18.65 | $149.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.43 | $155.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.14 | $185.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pensacola
Based on $18.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.65/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pensacola, FL can expect to earn approximately $38,788 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,378. With a cost-of-living index of 97.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pensacola.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pensacola
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $745.93 | $3,232 | $38,788 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $447.56 | $1,939 | $23,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $298.37 | $1,293 | $15,515 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Pensacola) | $18.65 |
| 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 Pensacola, FL earn a median of $38,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.80% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% below the Florida state average of $39,389.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.65/hr = $23,273/year (purchasing power: $23,817).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,788/year (purchasing power: $39,694).
CoL index: 97.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Pensacola (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Pensacola grew 48.5% from $11.79/hr (2019) to $17.51/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.86/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 Pensacola 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 Pensacola
Many certified nursing assistants in Pensacola who work part-time find that their annual earnings differ substantially from those working full-time, with the former taking home considerably less. For example, a part-time CNA working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,200 annually based on the median rate, significantly lower than a full-time salary. Furthermore, the option for per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Pensacola introduces another layer of flexibility, with agencies frequently offering rates between $22 to $32 per hour. Premium contracts, especially on weekends or during staffing shortages, can push rates to as high as $30 to $45 per hour. With the growth of travel contracts—though they remain less frequent than nursing travel—CNA opportunities have expanded post-COVID. Additionally, hourly rates vary across employer types; those in hospitals, especially in ICUs, often receive higher compensation than their counterparts in assisted living or rehabilitation facilities. Certified nursing assistants might consider the trade-off between hourly wages without benefits and the consistent pay from positions that include health insurance options when assessing their career paths.
More salary data for Pensacola, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Pensacola in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Pensacola?
Are certified nursing assistants in Pensacola paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Pensacola?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Pensacola?
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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 Pensacola. 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