Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $18.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in San Antonio, TX runs $18.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,192 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,512 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, TX, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is estimated at $18.84 for 2026, which falls below the national median of $21.64. This hourly rate means that part-time certified nursing assistants working three days a week, typically delivering care in settings like skilled nursing facilities and assisted living apartments, can expect to earn a comfortable income. The hourly pay range varies significantly, from approximately $15.77 for entry-level positions to $23.61 for more experienced individuals working in high-demand environments. The data reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) information and highlights differences that may arise based on specific roles within various healthcare facilities, such as home visits or hospice environments.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.77 | $126.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.14 | $145.10 |
| Median (P50) | $18.84 | $150.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.05 | $176.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.61 | $188.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $18.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.84/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $39,187 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,608. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $753.59 | $3,266 | $39,187 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $452.16 | $1,959 | $23,512 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $301.44 | $1,306 | $15,675 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (San Antonio) | $18.84 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $39,192 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.92% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% above the Texas state average of $37,940.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.84/hr = $23,512/year (purchasing power: $24,824).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,187/year (purchasing power: $41,373).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Antonio (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 | $14.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in San Antonio grew 37.3% from $12.88/hr (2019) to $17.69/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.06/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
Focusing on the financial aspects of working as a certified nursing assistant in San Antonio, part-time workers who commit to a three-day workweek (24 hours) may bring home about $23,109 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart earning an average income. The per diem certified nursing assistant pay in San Antonio can vary significantly, especially for those working with staffing agencies, where rates can range from $22 to $32 per hour. In areas with higher demand, weekend-only contracts could go as high as $30 to $45 per hour. Differences in compensation can be observed across various employer types, with hospitals and rehabilitation facilities often offering higher rates compared to assisted living communities. However, many certified nursing assistants weigh the choice between higher pay and the valuable benefits such as health insurance typically found in full-time positions. For those negotiating hourly pay, focusing on shift differentials or weekend work can also enhance earning potential, especially in a market recovering from staffing shortages in the wake of COVID-19.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 San Antonio. 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