Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Olive Branch, MS: $36,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Olive Branch, MS earns a median $36,493/year (≈ $17.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Olive Branch's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $42,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected certified nursing assistant salary in Olive Branch, MS, is approximately $36,493 annually, which positions it 18.92% below the national median of $45,007. Local wage estimates indicate a salary range from $30,376 at the 10th percentile to as high as $42,745 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the economic environment of Olive Branch. While these earnings may seem modest compared to the national averages, they are competitive given the local market dynamics and cost of living, with many CNAs looking to move up on the pay scale or bridge into higher nursing credentials like an LPN.
About the Olive Branch Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($28,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,376 | $14.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,511 | $15.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,493 | $17.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,621 | $19.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,745 | $20.55 |
Median Salary Position
18.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olive Branch
In Olive Branch, MS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,369 (2026 est.). At $36,493, the local median is 18.92% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Olive Branch: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Olive Branch Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Olive Branch median: $36,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olive Branch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $38,576 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.92% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Olive Branch, MS earn a median of $36,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.92% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.40% below the Mississippi state average of $38,576.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olive Branch 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.
Olive Branch, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,582 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,049
2025 BLS Actual
$34,266
2026 Current Est.
$36,493
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Olive Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,049 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,014 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $22,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olive Branch metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,049 (2019) to $34,266 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,816 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olive Branch 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) | $30,376 – $32,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,511 – $36,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,493 – $40,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,621 – $42,745 |
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 Olive Branch
The Olive Branch job market currently employs seven certified nursing assistants, which indicates a relatively small but potentially stable local workforce. The cost-of-living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than average, purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Among the types of employers, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies often provide the highest pay, particularly for positions requiring specialized skills or dealing with higher patient acuity. Factors contributing to the significant variation between low and high salaries include shift differentials—where night shifts can offer an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend shifts often attract premium pay. Additionally, strategies to enhance earnings include seeking agency roles during staffing shortages or pursuing certification stipends for those with CMA qualifications. Understanding these local dynamics can help CNAs in Olive Branch optimize their compensation while navigating their careers in a recovering post-pandemic environment.
More salary data for Olive Branch, 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 $34,266 for certified nursing assistantsin the Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch 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