Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wildwood, FL: $38,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wildwood, FL earns a median $38,457/year (≈ $18.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $45,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, FL, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant is $38,457 for 2026, notably lower than the national median of $45,007. Salary figures in the area range from $34,069 at the 10th percentile to $45,582 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reflects both the competitive yet constrained landscape of compensation for certified nursing assistants in this region. Given the need for skilled caregivers driven by the aging population, those who obtain additional credentials, such as transitioning to LPNs, can expect significant increases in their earning potential. With a robust local employment figure of 600 certified nursing assistants, Wildwood presents various opportunities in healthcare settings, though the pay scales may vary widely across different employers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,069 | $16.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,191 | $18.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,457 | $18.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,821 | $19.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,582 | $21.92 |
Median Salary Position
14.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,513 (2026 est.). At $38,457, the local median is 14.55% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wildwood Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $38,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $39,403 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.55% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wildwood, FL earn a median of $38,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.55% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% below the Florida state average of $39,403.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,019 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,344
2025 BLS Actual
$36,110
2026 Current Est.
$38,457
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,344 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,344 (2019) to $36,110 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,613 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $34,069 – $38,191 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,191 – $38,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,457 – $40,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,821 – $45,582 |
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 Wildwood
In evaluating the certified nursing assistant pay in Wildwood, it's essential to consider the local market dynamics and the cost of living index of 85.424, which is below the national average. This index implies that while salaries may seem lower than national counterparts, the purchasing power could be more favorable. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the most competitive wages, particularly for those willing to work nights, weekends, or in high-demand roles where flexibility commands a premium. Pay disparities here are often driven by shift differentials and auxiliary compensation such as agency premiums during staffing shortages. For those aspiring to optimize their earnings in Wildwood, actively seeking weekend-only positions, pursuing CMA certifications for additional stipends, and exploring nursing facilities with acuity-based pay structures are effective strategies to enhance overall pay in a challenging job environment.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
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 $36,110 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wildwood 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, 2-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