Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Sandy Springs, GA: $42,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Sandy Springs, GA earns a median $42,728/year (≈ $20.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Sandy Springs's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $45,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Sandy Springs, Georgia, is projected at a median of $42,728, revealing the effects of a post-COVID wage reset. The local salary range for this occupation spans from $33,388 at the 10th percentile to $52,006 at the 90th percentile, indicating a market that accommodates varying levels of experience and specialization. With estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, it’s noteworthy that certified nursing assistant pay in Sandy Springs trails the national median of $45,007 by about 5.06%. This positions local wages on the lower tier within the context of the larger U.S. healthcare employment landscape while still reflecting a step-up from previous years.
About the Sandy Springs Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,388 | $16.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,825 | $17.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,728 | $20.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,557 | $22.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,006 | $25.01 |
Median Salary Position
5.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sandy Springs
In Sandy Springs, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,618 (2026 est.). At $42,728, the local median is 5.06% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sandy Springs: You'd be above the median
How Sandy Springs Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Sandy Springs median: $42,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sandy Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,914 | +9.80% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.06% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Sandy Springs, GA earn a median of $42,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.06% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.80% above the Georgia state average of $38,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sandy Springs has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sandy Springs, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,895 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,158
2025 BLS Actual
$40,120
2026 Current Est.
$42,728
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Sandy Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,288 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,949 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,637 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sandy Springs metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $28,158 (2019) to $40,120 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,347 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sandy Springs 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) | $33,388 – $36,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,825 – $42,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,728 – $47,557 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,557 – $52,006 |
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 Sandy Springs
Employment for certified nursing assistants in Sandy Springs remains competitive, with 18 individuals currently employed in this role, indicative of steady local demand for skilled workers. The cost of living index at 93.1 suggests a relatively affordable environment for residents, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned in this sector. Among various types of employers, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer the highest wages, often influenced by patient acuity and operational demands. The shift differentials prevalent in this market can yield significant pay increases; working nights typically adds $2 to $4 per hour while weekend shifts offer an additional premium of $1 to $3. Maximizing earnings can also involve pursuing agency work, which often compensates above average during critical staffing shortages, as well as exploring additional certifications or bridge pathways to LPN or RN roles for career advancement.
More salary data for Sandy Springs, 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 $40,120 for certified nursing assistantsin the Sandy Springs 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
Salary data for Sandy Springs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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