Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Corpus Christi, TX: $18.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Corpus Christi, TX runs $18.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Corpus Christi's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,555 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Corpus Christi, TX, earn a median hourly rate of $18.07, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This discrepancy can impact part-time and per-diem workers significantly. For example, a part-time CNA working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, would earn approximately $430 a week before any taxes or deductions. The hourly pay range among CNAs in the area spans from $15.71 for entry-level positions to $21.77 for experienced professionals. Such roles are prevalent in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living apartments, and hospitals, where demand for staffing remains high. This official BLS data for 2026 indicates that even while opportunities abound, the pay structure reflects local market variations in Corpus Christi compared to broader national standards.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.71 | $125.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.24 | $129.93 |
| Median (P50) | $18.07 | $144.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.32 | $154.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.77 | $174.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Corpus Christi
Based on $18.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.07/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Corpus Christi, TX can expect to earn approximately $37,592 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,688. With a cost-of-living index of 92.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Corpus Christi.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Corpus Christi
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $722.92 | $3,133 | $37,592 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $433.75 | $1,880 | $22,555 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $289.17 | $1,253 | $15,037 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Corpus Christi) | $18.07 |
| 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 Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $37,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $37,936.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.07/hr = $22,555/year (purchasing power: $24,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,592/year (purchasing power: $40,565).
CoL index: 92.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Corpus Christi grew 31.8% from $12.88/hr (2019) to $16.97/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.25/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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi
The earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants can vary widely, especially when considering the market dynamics in Corpus Christi. For a CNA working three 8-hour shifts each week, their annual take-home pay could fall around $22,400, contrasting sharply with full-time CNAs who typically earn salaries near $37,595. Many CNAs might explore per diem opportunities or agency roles, where compensation can vary from $22 to $32 per hour, especially for weekend shifts or in high-demand areas, with some contracts reaching premium rates of $30 to $45 per hour. Additionally, pay scales differ among employer types; skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer more structured pay, while home health agencies may provide incentives to attract staff. Work arrangements often necessitate trade-offs, as some CNAs may choose lower-paying positions in exchange for benefits like health insurance, whereas others may opt for higher hourly wages without such benefits. Knowing the local market is critical for successful negotiations, especially when aiming to secure the most favorable pay rates in Corpus Christi's competitive CNA job landscape.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Corpus Christi in 2026?
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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 Corpus Christi. 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