Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Athens, GA: $38,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Athens, GA earns a median $38,691/year (≈ $18.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $41,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, certified nursing assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $38,691, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national figure of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs in this area spans from $31,822 at the tenth percentile to $48,841 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from BLS OEWS surveys based on 2025 data projected to 2026, underscore the realities of the local job market where wages can vary dramatically, especially between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. Understanding this differential is essential for those considering a career as a certified nursing assistant in Athens, as it influences both initial job choice and long-term earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,822 | $15.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,691 | $18.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,281 | $20.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,841 | $23.48 |
Median Salary Position
14.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,019 (2026 est.). At $38,691, the local median is 14.03% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Athens median: $38,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,925 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.03% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Athens, GA earn a median of $38,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.03% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% below the Georgia state average of $38,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,830
2025 BLS Actual
$36,330
2026 Current Est.
$38,691
2019–2027 Growth
+59.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.7% from $25,830 (2019) to $36,330 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,376 (59.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $31,822 – $36,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,210 – $38,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,691 – $42,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,281 – $48,841 |
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 Athens
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Athens is robust, with approximately 1,110 individuals currently employed in this role. Given the local cost of living index of 93.343, which is below the national average, CNAs here enjoy a somewhat favorable take-home purchasing power, even amidst lower salaries compared to other regions. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, while hospitals focusing on medical/surgical units might provide additional shift differentials. Pay disparities arise from various factors, including weekend premiums and agency pay during staffing shortages. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Athens GA, strategic approaches might include pursuing roles that offer higher hourly rates for nights or weekends, seeking out advanced certifications, or considering potential pathways for transitioning to LPN or RN statuses. These insights can help CNAs make informed decisions in a dynamic labor market.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Athens, GA in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Athens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Athens?
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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 $36,330 for certified nursing assistantsin the Athens 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