Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Meridian, MS: $36,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Meridian, MS earns a median $36,566/year (≈ $17.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $42,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Meridian, MS is projected to reach a median annual figure of $36,566. This positioning reflects a recalibrated wage landscape following the widespread impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare employment. Salaries for certified nursing assistants here range from $30,514 at the 10th percentile to $42,875 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying compensation based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, highlighting that while local wages are lower than the national median of $45,007, Meridian's job market remains an essential component in meeting the healthcare needs of the community.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($28,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,514 | $14.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,661 | $15.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,566 | $17.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,024 | $19.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,875 | $20.61 |
Median Salary Position
18.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,361 (2026 est.). At $36,566, the local median is 18.75% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Meridian median: $36,566/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $38,571 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.75% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Meridian, MS earn a median of $36,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $38,571.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian 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.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,566 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,667 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,097
2025 BLS Actual
$34,334
2026 Current Est.
$36,566
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,097 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,064 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $22,748 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,334 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,097 (2019) to $34,334 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,845 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $30,514 – $32,661 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,661 – $36,566 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,566 – $40,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,024 – $42,875 |
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 Meridian
In terms of job opportunities, only seven certified nursing assistants are currently employed in the Meridian area, suggesting a compact labor market that could favor wage negotiation for new entrants. The cost of living index for Meridian stands at 85.7, which is below the national average, allowing for comparatively better purchasing power for salaries earned in this region. Top employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, particularly within specialized units like ICUs where demand for skilled care is critical. The disparities between lower and higher pay can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts typically awarding an additional $2-4 per hour. Strategies for maximizing pay in Meridian might include seeking positions in acute care settings, pursuing weekend-only shifts that often pay a premium, or advancing through certification pathways to roles as licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
More salary data for Meridian, 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 $34,334 for certified nursing assistantsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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