Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Jackson, TN: $18.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Jackson, TN runs $18.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,579 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jackson, TN, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly rate of $18.89, which is notably lower than the national median of $21.64. This rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem workers, often engaging in varied environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and assisted living apartments. For individuals working part-time three days a week, this hourly wage translates to approximately $564 per week before taxes, adding an appealing structure for those supplementing income. The hourly compensation in Jackson ranges from $15.26 for entry-level positions to around $20.42 for those towards the upper end, reflecting the city’s overall cost of living index, which is below the national average. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the local market dynamics for certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Jackson.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.26 | $122.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.36 | $130.87 |
| Median (P50) | $18.89 | $151.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.51 | $156.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.42 | $163.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $18.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.89/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, TN can expect to earn approximately $39,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,672. With a cost-of-living index of 85.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $755.72 | $3,275 | $39,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.43 | $1,965 | $23,579 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.29 | $1,310 | $15,719 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Jackson) | $18.89 |
| 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 Jackson, TN earn a median of $39,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.80% below the Tennessee state average of $40,019.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.89/hr = $23,579/year (purchasing power: $27,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,298/year (purchasing power: $45,950).
CoL index: 85.522 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+71.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Jackson grew 50.7% from $11.77/hr (2019) to $17.74/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.12/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Exploring the earning potential further, a certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week in Jackson could take home around $29,352 annually, which starkly contrasts with a full-time position that earns approximately double that amount. Many CNAs opt for per diem contracts instead, with compensation often ranging between $22 to $32 an hour. In high-demand periods or markets, weekend-only contracts can elevate pay to $30-$45 per hour, and occasional travel contracts may offer upwards of $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, demonstrating the variety and fluctuations in certified nursing assistant hourly rates across different employment types. Furthermore, the choice between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more stable roles that include health insurance presents a unique trade-off for many. Negotiating effectively requires understanding employer expectations in Jackson's nursing market and being aware of value-added skills like certifications or specialized training that can influence pay in skilled nursing facilities and hospice care settings.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
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 Jackson. 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