Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Dothan, AL: $31,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Dothan, AL earns a median $31,769/year (≈ $15.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $37,896 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.0% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Dothan's labor market has seen a notable shift in the certified nursing assistant salary in Dothan due to the post-COVID wage reset, projecting a median annual salary of $31,769 by 2026. This figure represents a new baseline for CNAs in the region, with anticipated earnings ranging significantly from $25,209 at the 10th percentile to $39,501 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate how the salaries for certified nursing assistants have been adjusted to attract and retain essential healthcare workers after a challenging period of turnover in the workforce. For those considering a career as a certified nursing assistant in Dothan, the market is exhibiting growth and potential opportunities for improvement in compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,209 | $12.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,329 | $13.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,769 | $15.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,434 | $17.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,501 | $18.99 |
Median Salary Position
29.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,292 (2026 est.). At $31,769, the local median is 29.41% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Dothan median: $31,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,695 | -11.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -29.41% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Dothan, AL earn a median of $31,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.41% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 11.00% below the Alabama state average of $35,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $31,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,896 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$22,950
2025 BLS Actual
$29,830
2026 Current Est.
$31,769
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 30.0% from $22,950 (2019) to $29,830 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,884 (47.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $25,209 – $28,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,329 – $31,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,769 – $36,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,434 – $39,501 |
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 Dothan
The local job market is bolstered by approximately 930 certified nursing assistants employed in the area, contributing to the community's healthcare needs while navigating a cost-of-living index of 83.833, which reflects favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals are likely to offer the most competitive wages, especially when accounting for shift differentials that can add $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends. Factors influencing the variation in pay include the availability of agency staffing during shortages and additional stipends for certified medication aides. To maximize pay, aspiring CNAs in Dothan should consider seeking out weekend-only roles and opportunities to bridge into higher certification levels like LPN or RN, capitalizing on the ongoing demand within Alabama's healthcare system.
More salary data for Dothan, 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 $29,830 for certified nursing assistantsin the Dothan 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