Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $47,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $47,478/year (≈ $22.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $47,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Flagstaff, AZ, is projected to reach a median annual income of $47,478, marking a notable increase in the wake of a post-COVID wage reset. Within this market, salaries range from $40,364 at the P10 to $62,601 at the P90 level, indicating a diverse compensation landscape for CNAs. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and reflect a growing recognition of the essential roles that nursing assistants play in healthcare. Compared to the national median of $45,007, the Flagstaff market shows a robust 5.49% premium, signifying a solid demand for skilled nursing professionals in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,364 | $19.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,008 | $22.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,478 | $22.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,672 | $23.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,601 | $30.10 |
Median Salary Position
5.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,237 (2026 est.). At $47,478, the local median is 5.49% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flagstaff Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $47,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $45,961 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +5.49% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $47,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% above the Arizona state average of $45,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 0.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 100.325 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,478 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,324 — a 0.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,450
2025 BLS Actual
$44,580
2026 Current Est.
$47,478
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,564 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 41.7% from $31,450 (2019) to $44,580 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,114 (60.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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) | $40,364 – $46,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,008 – $47,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,478 – $49,672 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,672 – $62,601 |
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 Flagstaff
A total of approximately 500 certified nursing assistants are currently employed in Flagstaff, suggesting a strong job market. The cost of living index stands at 100.325, slightly above the national average, impacting the take-home purchasing power for workers. Within this market, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly on medical/surgical floors and ICUs, tend to offer the highest pay rates. Factors influencing salary variability include shift differentials that can add $2-4/hr for nights and $1-3 for weekends, as well as premium pay during staffing shortages and special roles that cater to weekend-only shifts. For CNAs looking to maximize their earnings in Flagstaff AZ, obtaining a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) certification and being flexible with shift preferences can provide significant advantages in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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 $44,580 for certified nursing assistantsin the Flagstaff 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