Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Smyrna, TN: $40,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Smyrna, TN earns a median $40,460/year (≈ $19.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $44,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, TN, the path from certified nursing assistant (CNA) to licensed practical nurse (LPN) represents a significant career advancement and salary increase, setting the stage for financial growth. For 2026, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is $40,460, which trails the national median of $45,007 by approximately 10.10%. Local estimates indicate that salaries for CNAs in the area range from $32,383 at the lowest end (10th percentile) to $48,397 for those in the highest bracket (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, account for regional economic conditions, including the cost of living. With nursing facilities adjusting wages to combat post-COVID labor shortages, Smyrna’s CNA market remains competitive despite this discrepancy, generally reflecting the local job market's dynamics.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,383 | $15.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,287 | $16.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,577 | $21.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,397 | $23.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, TN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,014 (2026 est.). At $40,460, the local median is 10.1% below the national median of $45,007.
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How Smyrna Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $40,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,020 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.10% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Smyrna, TN earn a median of $40,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $40,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,460 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,664
2025 BLS Actual
$37,991
2026 Current Est.
$40,460
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,664 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,248 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,148 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,664 (2019) to $37,991 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,426 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $32,383 – $35,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,287 – $40,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,460 – $45,577 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,577 – $48,397 |
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 Smyrna
Currently, there are only 12 certified nursing assistants employed in Smyrna. The local cost of living index stands at 91.8, suggesting that salaries stretch a bit further in this area compared to many national locations. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer the most competitive rates, particularly for in-demand shifts that provide premium pay. The spread between lower and higher pay often reflects factors such as weekend or night shift differentials, which can increase hourly rates by $2 to $4. Moreover, premium roles during staffing shortages and additional stipends for certified medication aides (CMAs) can significantly boost earnings. For those aiming to enhance their earnings in Smyrna, considering a shift towards night or weekend work, seeking agency roles, or pursuing further certifications can be strategic moves to align more closely with the upper echelons of certified nursing assistant pay in Smyrna, TN.
More salary data for Smyrna, 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 $37,991 for certified nursing assistantsin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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