Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Mississippi: $33,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $33,757/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $39,390 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($35,874), Tupelo ($35,865), Madison ($35,722).
In Mississippi, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is projected to be $33,757 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $45,007, resulting in a salary gap of 25.0%. The highest-paying city, Pearl, offers salaries around $38,206, whereas Hattiesburg, the lowest-paying city, has a projected salary of $32,419, illustrating a difference of $5,787. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. In Mississippi, state licensing requirements for CNAs include completing a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. The scope of practice laws are generally similar to those in other states, focusing on basic patient care tasks. The demand for CNAs is driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs, with expected job growth in this field at 6.50% annually from 2025, indicating a steady influx of employment opportunities. In addition, Mississippi has 20 metro areas, which further supports job distribution across urban and rural settings. Overall, while salaries may lag behind the national average, the job outlook for CNAs in Mississippi remains positive.
Mississippi Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $27,510 (lowest entry-level) to $47,233 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi certified nursing assistants earn 25% less than the national median ($-11,250/year difference).
Mississippi Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Mississippi range from $29,697 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $42,100 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $33,757. The Mississippi median is $11,250 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $16.24/hr. Approximately 5,610 certified nursing assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,144
2025 BLS Actual
$31,697
2026 Current Est.
$33,757
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,274 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,999 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,878 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,697 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.3% from $24,144 (2019) to $31,697 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,807 (48.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $32,419 |
| Gulfport | $33,569 |
| Biloxi | $33,965 |
| Jackson | $34,123 |
| Clinton | $35,463 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $38,206 | 85.7 | $44,581 |
| Tupelo | $38,196 | 85.7 | $44,569 |
| Madison | $38,044 | 85.7 | $44,392 |
| Southaven | $37,943 | 85.7 | $44,274 |
| Horn Lake | $37,786 | 85.7 | $44,091 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $29,697 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $33,757 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $42,100 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $38,206 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $38,196 |
| 3 | Madison | $38,044 |
| 4 | Southaven | $37,943 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $37,786 |
| 6 | Starkville | $37,508 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $37,033 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $37,033 |
| 9 | Oxford | $36,799 |
| 10 | Brandon | $36,760 |
| 11 | Meridian | $36,566 |
| 12 | Olive Branch | $36,493 |
| 13 | Hernando | $36,310 |
| 14 | Columbus | $36,270 |
| 15 | Laurel | $35,672 |
| 16 | Clinton | $35,463 |
| 17 | Jackson | $34,123 |
| 18 | Biloxi | $33,965 |
| 19 | Gulfport | $33,569 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $32,419 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Mississippi?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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