Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Killeen, TX: $18.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Killeen, TX runs $18.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,468 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Killeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,074 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Killeen, TX, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly pay of $18.49, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This competitive rate is particularly relevant for part-time workers, who may typically engage in shift work across various settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. With an hourly range from $15.83 for entry-level positions up to $23.78 for experienced staff, CNAs can assess their potential earnings based on their skills, experience, and the specific demands of different facilities. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the ongoing need for CNAs in Killeen's healthcare landscape.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.83 | $126.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Median (P50) | $18.49 | $147.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.56 | $180.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.78 | $190.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Killeen
Based on $18.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.49/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Killeen, TX can expect to earn approximately $38,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,186. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Killeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Killeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $739.54 | $3,205 | $38,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $443.72 | $1,923 | $23,074 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $295.81 | $1,282 | $15,382 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Killeen) | $18.49 |
| 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 Killeen, TX earn a median of $38,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.53% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $37,937.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.49/hr = $23,074/year (purchasing power: $25,319).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,456/year (purchasing power: $42,198).
CoL index: 91.132 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Killeen grew 39.9% from $12.41/hr (2019) to $17.36/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.69/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 Killeen 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 Killeen
Examining the earning potential for part-time CNAs in Killeen reveals that working a typical 24-hour week can result in an annual take-home that differs starkly from full-time counterparts. For instance, part-time CNAs may earn approximately $22,000 annually if working consistently, while full-time positions offer salaries involving benefits. For per diem certified nursing assistant roles, hourly pay can increase significantly, as agency CNAs often command rates of $22-$32, especially during peak times or for weekend shifts, which can push earnings closer to $30-$45 per hour in tight labor markets. The variety of hourly rates across employer types further reflects Killeen's hiring incentives. Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and other settings often have their distinctive pay scales. This variability presents an interesting dynamic for CNAs, who must weigh hourly pay against the benefits of stable employment, such as health insurance offerings. Therefore, negotiating pay, clarifying shift differentials, and understanding the long-term pathways to roles like LPN or RN can be essential strategies for these caregivers.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 Killeen. 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