Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Birmingham, AL: $37,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Birmingham, AL earns a median $37,776/year (≈ $18.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $41,220 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is $37,776 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $45,007, reflective of the regional pay dynamics. The salary range for CNAs in the area is between $31,737 at the lower end (P10) and $41,652 at the higher end (P90), creating a varied landscape for earnings primarily influenced by the type of healthcare facility. Data for this analysis comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and highlights a significant distinction in pay between structured hospital environments and skilled nursing facilities, informing candidates of the potential financial outcomes of their career choices in Birmingham.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,737 | $15.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,196 | $15.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,776 | $18.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,043 | $18.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,652 | $20.03 |
Median Salary Position
16.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,915 (2026 est.). At $37,776, the local median is 16.07% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be above the median
How Birmingham Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $37,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,671 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.07% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $37,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.07% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.90% above the Alabama state average of $35,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,776 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,220 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,270
2025 BLS Actual
$35,470
2026 Current Est.
$37,776
2019–2027 Growth
+65.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 46.1% from $24,270 (2019) to $35,470 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,961 (65.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,737 – $33,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,196 – $37,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,776 – $39,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,043 – $41,652 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Birmingham
With approximately 6,380 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Birmingham, the local job market remains robust, despite the comparatively lower salaries. Reflecting a cost of living index of 91.644, which is below the national average, CNAs in Birmingham experience more purchasing power relative to their earnings when compared to other regions. Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals typically offer the highest pay, particularly for positions that involve specialized care or high-acuity patients. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include shift differentials—where night shifts can yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour, while weekend work tends to provide about $1 to $3 extra. To maximize their earnings, CNAs should consider pursuing extra certifications, such as a CMA certification stipend, and seek roles in agencies that may offer premium pay during staffing shortages. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics can assist CNAs in effectively navigating their earning potential within the Birmingham AL market.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,470 for certified nursing assistantsin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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