Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Starkville, MS: $37,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Starkville, MS earns a median $37,508/year (≈ $18.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $43,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, a certified nursing assistant can expect to earn a median annual salary of $37,508 in 2026. The salary range for CNAs in this area spans from $29,766 at the 10th percentile to $43,502 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and workplace setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and are adjusted for regional cost variations, reflecting the area's specific economic environment. As CNAs look towards career advancement, the transition to licensed practical nurse (LPN) credentials can significantly enhance earning power, further opening doors to roles with higher compensation in Starkville’s healthcare sector.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($28,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,766 | $14.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,655 | $16.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,508 | $18.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,765 | $19.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,502 | $20.92 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,736 (2026 est.). At $37,508, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Starkville median: $37,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $38,589 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.66% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Starkville, MS earn a median of $37,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $38,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,767 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,718
2025 BLS Actual
$35,219
2026 Current Est.
$37,508
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,835 | Actual |
| 2024 | $23,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,219 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,946 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,718 (2019) to $35,219 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,946 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,228 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $29,766 – $34,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,655 – $37,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,508 – $40,765 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,765 – $43,502 |
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 Starkville
With only five certified nursing assistants currently employed in Starkville, the local job market is relatively limited but has the potential for growth. The area's cost of living index stands at 85.7, which suggests that, while salaries are below the national average, purchasing power remains viable. Pay varies widely based on facility type, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offering better compensation compared to home health agencies or assisted living communities. Factors such as shift differentials—often providing an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and a premium for weekend work—also influence take-home pay. To maximize earnings, CNAs should consider pursuing additional certifications or seeking positions that offer weekend-only roles, as well as exploring opportunities in regions with higher acuity facilities, which can translate into more competitive wage scales.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 $35,219 for certified nursing assistantsin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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