Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $19.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Houston, TX runs $19.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,438 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,270 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay sits at a median rate of $19.45, which trails the national hourly median of $21.64. This wage reflects the typical earnings for CNAs, who often work in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health care, and hospice environments. For part-time workers, particularly those on a 3-day work week, this translates to a stable income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. The hourly range for certified nursing assistants in Houston spans from $16.70 for entry-level positions to $24.24 for those at the top of their field, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.70 | $133.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.62 | $148.93 |
| Median (P50) | $19.45 | $155.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.61 | $188.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.24 | $193.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $19.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.45/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $40,450 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,336. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $777.88 | $3,371 | $40,450 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $466.73 | $2,022 | $24,270 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.15 | $1,348 | $16,180 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Houston) | $19.45 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $40,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.60% above the Texas state average of $37,934.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.45/hr = $24,270/year (purchasing power: $24,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,450/year (purchasing power: $41,012).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Houston grew 38.3% from $13.20/hr (2019) to $18.26/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.71/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 Houston 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 Houston
The earning potential for a certified nursing assistant varies significantly based on the employment model. A part-time CNA working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $26,000 annually, whereas someone full-time would earn considerably more. For those considering per diem positions, agency CNAs often see rates between $22 and $32 per hour, with weekend contracts potentially earning as high as $45 per hour due to acute staffing shortages. Additionally, workplaces have differing pay scales; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages compared to hospitals or specialized rehabilitation centers due to benefits provided. CNAs looking to maximize their income should weigh the value of health insurance against higher hourly rates that might lack benefits. When negotiating pay in Houston's market, it’s wise to research specific employer rates and understand the demand dynamics unique to the region, especially post-COVID when attention to staffing continues to be a critical issue.
More salary data for Houston, 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 Houston. 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