Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $39,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $39,480/year (≈ $18.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $39,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Palm Bay, Florida, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $39,480, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this position in the region spans from $36,327 at the 10th percentile to $47,062 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay structure influenced by various factors such as experience, setting, and demand. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights the distinct pay realities between skilled nursing facilities and hospital environments. Given the local job market's reliance on both these sectors, understanding where to focus one's career can significantly impact earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,327 | $17.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,786 | $18.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,898 | $20.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,062 | $22.62 |
Median Salary Position
12.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,735 (2026 est.). At $39,480, the local median is 12.28% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $39,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $39,401 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.28% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $39,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.28% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.20% above the Florida state average of $39,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $39,480 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $39,478 — a 0.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,500
2025 BLS Actual
$37,070
2026 Current Est.
$39,480
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 34.8% from $27,500 (2019) to $37,070 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,546 (52.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $36,327 – $37,786 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,786 – $39,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,480 – $42,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,898 – $47,062 |
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 Palm Bay
With approximately 2,760 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Palm Bay, the job market remains robust, despite a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.005. This means that although the certified nursing assistant pay in Palm Bay, FL, is below the national average, the actual purchasing power for residents is affected by local housing and living expenses. Employers such as rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher wages, while shift differentials can further enhance earnings—paying an extra $2 to $4 an hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends. Certified nursing assistants seeking to maximize their pay should consider taking advantage of opportunities with agency roles during staffing shortages, pursuing CMA certification stipends, and exploring weekend-only positions that can offer lucrative premiums. For those interested in advancement, this pathway also often provides a solid foundation for transitioning to LPN or RN roles, enhancing long-term career prospects.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Palm Bay?
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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 $37,070 for certified nursing assistantsin the Palm Bay 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