Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Pelham, AL: $32,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Pelham, AL earns a median $32,998/year (≈ $15.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $37,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pelham, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant is $32,998 for the year 2026. This figure represents a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $45,007, highlighting the lower pay scale often found in local healthcare settings, particularly in skilled nursing facilities compared to hospitals. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in the area spans from $28,816 at the 10th percentile to $37,897 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from state-level data adjusted for regional price levels, providing a realistic view of what local CNAs can expect to earn based on their experience and the type of facility in which they work.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($30,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,816 | $13.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,206 | $14.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $32,998 | $15.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,829 | $17.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,897 | $18.22 |
Median Salary Position
26.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,081 (2026 est.). At $32,998, the local median is 26.68% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pelham Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Pelham median: $32,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,673 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -26.68% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Pelham, AL earn a median of $32,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.68% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $35,673.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $32,998 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$21,746
2025 BLS Actual
$30,984
2026 Current Est.
$32,998
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,618 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $21,746 (2019) to $30,984 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,397 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $28,816 – $30,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,206 – $32,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $32,998 – $35,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,829 – $37,897 |
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 Pelham
Examining the Pelham job market, only four certified nursing assistants are currently employed in the area, which may reflect a broader demand for patient care roles following the staffing crises experienced nationwide after the COVID-19 pandemic. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, CNAs in Pelham enjoy a relatively lower cost environment, which serves to enhance their take-home pay. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer the highest salaries, while factors like shift differentials of $2-4 per hour for night shifts and premiums for weekends contribute to pay variability. To maximize earnings, aspiring CNAs might consider pursuing additional certifications or seeking positions that offer weekend-only hours or agency work, which often comes with higher pay rates due to the need for flexible staffing solutions.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $30,984 for certified nursing assistantsin the Pelham 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
Salary data for Pelham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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