Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $18.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in El Paso, TX runs $18.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,456 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,475 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, the certified nursing assistant hourly rate is projected to be $18.01 in 2026, reflecting a significant difference from the national median of $21.64. This wage is crucial for both part-time CNAs and those working per diem in various healthcare settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care. For workers committed to a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, this translates to a more flexible earning potential, providing an opportunity to balance work with personal commitments. The hourly pay in El Paso ranges from $14.89 at the entry level to as much as $22.00 for top earners, creating a spectrum that can accommodate both new entrants to the field and those with more experience.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.89 | $119.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.82 | $126.52 |
| Median (P50) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.64 | $157.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.00 | $176.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $18.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.01/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $37,459 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,611. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $720.37 | $3,122 | $37,459 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $432.22 | $1,873 | $22,475 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $288.15 | $1,249 | $14,984 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (El Paso) | $18.01 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $37,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.78% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.20% below the Texas state average of $37,911.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.01/hr = $22,475/year (purchasing power: $24,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,459/year (purchasing power: $41,662).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in El Paso grew 37.4% from $12.31/hr (2019) to $16.91/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.18/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
Part-time certified nursing assistants focusing on a 24-hour workweek can expect to earn a steady income, significantly lower than full-time counterparts, but still viable for supplemental earnings. Meanwhile, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in El Paso varies considerably, with agency CNAs often able to command upwards of $22-$32/hour, and those in high-demand areas seeing weekend contracts that can reach $30-$45/hour. As the workforce battles turnover challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, many CNAs are opting for positions that balance hourly rates against benefits, such as health insurance. Different employer types also create variability in hourly earnings; skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies often pay differently, reflecting local market demands and staffing shortages. Understanding how to negotiate based on these factors can significantly impact a CNA’s earning potential in El Paso.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
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 El Paso. 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