Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbus, MS: $36,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Columbus, MS earns a median $36,270/year (≈ $17.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $42,322 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Columbus, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $36,270. This figure represents a post-COVID wage reset that has established a new baseline for compensation within the industry. The salary range for this role spans from $29,608 at the 10th percentile to $40,618 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and institutional demands. These estimates are based on local BLS state-level data and adjust for regional cost factors, providing a clearer picture of where the Columbus market stands in relation to the national landscape, where the median salary is significantly higher at $45,007.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($28,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,608 | $14.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,944 | $16.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,270 | $17.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40,618 | $19.53 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,010 (2026 est.). At $36,270, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $36,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $38,585 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -19.41% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus, MS earn a median of $36,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $38,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,270 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,322 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,902
2025 BLS Actual
$34,056
2026 Current Est.
$36,270
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,426 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,784 | Actual |
| 2024 | $22,564 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $23,902 (2019) to $34,056 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,725 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $29,608 – $33,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,944 – $36,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,270 – $38,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,740 – $40,618 |
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 Columbus
The local job market for certified nursing assistants shows promising activity, with six professionals currently employed in the area. The adjusted cost of living index for Columbus, sitting at 85.7, suggests a lower threshold for living expenses, meaning take-home pay can stretch further than in many other parts of the nation. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest compensation, especially for those working in specialized units like ICUs or rehabilitation centers. Factors fueling the pay variance include shift differentials—where night shifts might earn an extra $2 to $4 per hour, and weekends add $1 to $3. Opportunities for premium pay do exist, especially for CNAs holding CMA certifications or those willing to take on roles limited to weekend shifts. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, seeking positions in higher-acuity settings or obtaining additional certifications could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 $34,056 for certified nursing assistantsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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