Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kingsport, TN: $39,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kingsport, TN earns a median $39,991/year (≈ $19.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $46,261 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Kingsport, Tennessee, is estimated to be $39,991 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $45,007 for the same year. CNAs in the area can expect to earn between $32,057 at the 10th percentile and $46,551 at the 90th percentile. This salary information is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and suggests a competitive pay structure, particularly when factoring in the demand for skilled nursing and the varying responsibilities across facility types. The local healthcare market is notably influenced by the staffing needs of skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, contributing further to the dynamics of compensation in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,057 | $15.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,086 | $18.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,991 | $19.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,217 | $20.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,551 | $22.39 |
Median Salary Position
11.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,494 (2026 est.). At $39,991, the local median is 11.14% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be above the median
How Kingsport Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $39,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,031 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.14% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $39,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.14% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.10% below the Tennessee state average of $40,031.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,261 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,440
2025 BLS Actual
$37,550
2026 Current Est.
$39,991
2019–2027 Growth
+67.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 47.6% from $25,440 (2019) to $37,550 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,150 (67.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $32,057 – $39,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,086 – $39,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,991 – $42,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,217 – $46,551 |
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 Kingsport
In Kingsport, approximately 1,400 certified nursing assistants are employed, navigating a job market characterized by a relatively low cost of living index of 86.447. This favorable metric suggests that while the certified nursing assistant pay in Kingsport TN may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries is enhanced in the local economy. The highest wages typically come from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and specialized medical facilities that offer shift differentials for night and weekend work, which may range from $1 to $4 per hour more. To maximize earnings, prospective CNAs should consider pursuing agency roles that often pay premiums during staffing shortages, as well as certifications, such as Certified Medication Aide (CMA) status. Exploring weekend-only positions may also yield additional pay incentives, creating pathways toward advancing their careers into licensed practical or registered nursing roles.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $37,550 for certified nursing assistantsin the Kingsport 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