Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Johnson City, TN: $39,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Johnson City, TN earns a median $39,735/year (≈ $19.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $45,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, Tennessee, certified nursing assistants earn a median annual salary of $39,735, reflecting a competitive position within the market but still 11.71% lower than the national average. The salary range for this occupation extends from $31,428 for entry-level positions to $46,679 for more experienced CNAs, with these figures derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The difference in pay can often be attributed to the type of healthcare setting; skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may offer lower rates compared to hospitals, particularly those in medical-surgical or ICU departments. As a result, job opportunities in Johnson City can vary widely, driven by the structural choice between skilled nursing environments and hospital employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,428 | $15.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,106 | $18.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,735 | $19.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,679 | $22.44 |
Median Salary Position
11.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,251 (2026 est.). At $39,735, the local median is 11.71% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be above the median
How Johnson City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $39,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,015 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.71% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $39,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.71% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.70% below the Tennessee state average of $40,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,190 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,370
2025 BLS Actual
$37,310
2026 Current Est.
$39,735
2019–2027 Growth
+60.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,318 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 41.5% from $26,370 (2019) to $37,310 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,318 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,948 (60.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $31,428 – $38,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,106 – $39,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,735 – $40,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,640 – $46,679 |
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 Johnson City
In 2026, Johnson City is projected to have around 1,390 certified nursing assistants working in the area, contributing to a dynamic local employment scene. The cost-of-living index of 87.928 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national median, their purchasing power remains relatively strong. Employers in hospitals typically offer higher pay for certified nursing assistants, particularly in specialized units like ICUs, thanks to the acuity of care required. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $2-4 per hour for nights and weekends, create further variability in earnings. Additionally, the demand for certified nursing assistants has created premium pay opportunities during staffing shortages and in roles requiring advanced certifications. For those seeking to maximize their salary in Johnson City, pursuing extra certifications such as CMA or considering weekend-only shifts could provide a strategic advantage in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 $37,310 for certified nursing assistantsin the Johnson City 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
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