Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Memphis, TN: $40,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Memphis, TN earns a median $40,481/year (≈ $19.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $43,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Memphis is projected to reach a median annual income of $40,481, positioning it roughly 10% below the national median of $45,007. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in this region falls between $33,718 at the 10th percentile and $47,435 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of compensation influenced by varying experience and workplace settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the effects of the post-COVID wage reset, as wages in many local healthcare facilities have experienced upward adjustments amid ongoing staffing challenges and workforce turnover. Given these dynamics, the job market in Memphis shows signs of responsiveness to the increasing demand for healthcare support roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,718 | $16.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,766 | $18.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,481 | $19.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,687 | $21.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,435 | $22.81 |
Median Salary Position
10.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,717 (2026 est.). At $40,481, the local median is 10.06% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Memphis median: $40,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,040 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.06% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Memphis, TN earn a median of $40,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.06% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $40,040.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,640
2025 BLS Actual
$38,010
2026 Current Est.
$40,481
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,112 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.5% from $27,640 (2019) to $38,010 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,112 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,472 (55.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $33,718 – $38,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,766 – $40,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,481 – $44,687 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,687 – $47,435 |
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 Memphis
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is quite robust, with approximately 4,930 CNAs employed in the Memphis area. With a cost-of-living index at 92.179, which is below the national average, this environment allows for somewhat favorable purchasing power for local workers. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the most competitive pay rates, particularly for roles involving higher acuity patients that require more advanced skills. Variations in pay often stem from factors like shift differentials, which can add an extra $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts or additional weekend premiums ranging from $1 to $3. CNAs seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Memphis TN should prioritize opportunities in high-demand settings and consider pursuing additional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Medication Aide (CMA), or adjusting their availability to include weekends or night shifts to capitalize on premium pay options.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 $38,010 for certified nursing assistantsin the Memphis 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