Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Tucson, AZ: $45,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Tucson, AZ earns a median $45,326/year (≈ $21.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $46,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the forecasted median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in Tucson, Arizona, is set at $45,326, positioning it slightly above the national average of $45,007. The projected salary range spans from $37,563 at the lower end to a robust $60,236 for top earners. Derived from the latest BLS OEWS data, these figures reflect an evolving job landscape that remains vital to Tucson’s healthcare system. As many CNAs pursue further education through bridge programs to licensed practical nurses (LPNs), the value of certification increases, leading to enhanced career prospects and salary potential in the long term.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,563 | $18.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,427 | $19.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,326 | $21.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,969 | $23.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,236 | $28.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,673 (2026 est.). At $45,326, the local median is 0.71% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Tucson median: $45,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $45,923 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +0.71% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $45,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.71% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.30% below the Arizona state average of $45,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,778 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,690
2025 BLS Actual
$42,560
2026 Current Est.
$45,326
2019–2027 Growth
+57.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.7% from $30,690 (2019) to $42,560 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,583 (57.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $37,563 – $40,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,427 – $45,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,326 – $48,969 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,969 – $60,236 |
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 Tucson
Tucson’s job market for certified nursing assistants is solid, with approximately 3,500 professionals employed locally. The region’s cost-of-living index of 96.896 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the effective purchasing power of CNA salaries. For those seeking the highest pay, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies typically offer better compensation packages. Factors influencing the earnings gap are varied, with shift differentials, weekend premiums, and agency pay rates during staffing shortages playing significant roles. To maximize earnings, CNAs should consider taking advantage of night shift opportunities, seeking roles in higher-acuity settings, and pursuing certifications like CMA, all of which can lead to a notable increase in take-home pay within Tucson's competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Tucson, 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 $42,560 for certified nursing assistantsin the Tucson 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