Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $19.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Johnson City, TN runs $19.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,844 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Johnson City, TN, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect a median hourly pay of $19.11, which falls below the national median of $21.64. This hourly rate is significant for individuals working in various settings including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health environments. For part-time workers, such as those putting in three 8-hour shifts a week, this pay translates to an estimated weekly income of around $456, facilitating flexible schedules and opportunities for work-life balance. Entry-level CNAs may earn as little as $15.11 per hour, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $22.44, showcasing a wide range of earning potential based on experience and workplace dynamics. These figures are sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the financial landscape for CNAs in Johnson City.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.11 | $120.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.32 | $146.54 |
| Median (P50) | $19.11 | $152.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.54 | $156.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.44 | $179.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $19.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.11/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $39,741 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,927. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $764.24 | $3,312 | $39,741 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $458.55 | $1,987 | $23,844 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $305.70 | $1,325 | $15,896 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Johnson City) | $19.11 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $39,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.71% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.70% below the Tennessee state average of $40,015.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.11/hr = $23,844/year (purchasing power: $27,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,741/year (purchasing power: $45,197).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Johnson City grew 41.5% from $12.68/hr (2019) to $17.94/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.35/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
A part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours per week would take home about $23,635 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. This compensation shift emphasizes the choice faced by CNAs between part-time flexibility and the stability of full-time roles. Notably, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Johnson City can be markedly higher, with agency CNAs billing between $22 and $32 per hour or even more for weekend shifts, which can attract $30 to $45 in shortage areas. Employment settings also influence hourly rates significantly; hospitals may provide premium pay, especially in critical areas like ICUs. However, many CNAs must assess whether accepting a higher hourly rate without benefits is worthwhile or if a lower rate with comprehensive health insurance offers greater long-term value. Those negotiating rates can leverage local market knowledge, emphasizing their certifications and specific skills to potentially secure better pay in an ongoing competitive labor market.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 Johnson City. 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