Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Albany, GA: $37,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Albany, GA earns a median $37,552/year (≈ $18.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Albany's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $42,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $37,552 in 2026, certified nursing assistants in Albany, Georgia, face a notable pay differential compared to national averages, as the national median is $45,007. Salaries in Albany range from $27,392 at the 10th percentile to $41,684 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied demand in different healthcare settings. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer competitive compensation, but many certified nursing assistants find that the work environment—whether in hospitals or skilled nursing settings—can influence pay rates significantly. This projection is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, and with a growing demand for this essential role driven by ongoing healthcare needs, promising opportunities exist for advancement and increased earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,392 | $13.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,440 | $15.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,552 | $18.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,054 | $18.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,684 | $20.04 |
Median Salary Position
16.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,292 (2026 est.). At $37,552, the local median is 16.56% below the national median of $45,007.
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How Albany Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Albany median: $37,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,914 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.56% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Albany, GA earn a median of $37,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.56% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.50% below the Georgia state average of $38,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 12.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, GA has a cost-of-living index of 87.669 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,834 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,580
2025 BLS Actual
$35,260
2026 Current Est.
$37,552
2019–2027 Growth
+69.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 49.5% from $23,580 (2019) to $35,260 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,413 (69.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $27,392 – $32,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,440 – $37,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,552 – $39,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,054 – $41,684 |
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 Albany
In Albany, approximately 770 certified nursing assistants are employed, which represents a substantial workforce attempting to manage the region's healthcare demands. The cost of living index in Albany stands at 87.669, indicating affordability when compared to the national average. This lower cost can enhance the purchasing power of CNAs, even as their compensation lags slightly behind national figures. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally provide the highest pay rates, with additional earnings available through shifts that require night, weekend, or holiday work, often commanding premiums ranging from $1 to $4 per hour. As local staffing shortages have driven wage increases in recent years, CNAs may consider taking on agency roles during peak times or pursuing certification as CMA to boost their hourly rates. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Albany GA, seeking out weekend-only roles or focusing on specialized facilities that offer acuity-based pay can create advantageous earning potentials.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 $35,260 for certified nursing assistantsin the Albany 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, 6-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