Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Austin, TX: $41,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Austin, TX earns a median $41,056/year (≈ $19.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $41,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Austin, TX, are projected to see a median annual salary of $41,056 in 2026. This represents an opportunity to build a sustainable career while providing essential support in healthcare settings. The salary range for CNAs in this vibrant city spans from $38,063 at the lower end (P10) to $51,227 at the upper end (P90), derived from comprehensive surveys conducted by BLS OEWS. Compared to the national median of $45,007, this figure shows a slight dip, highlighting the local market's unique context. With a robust demand for healthcare professionals, pursuing advancement through a CNA-to-LPN bridge can significantly enhance earning potential and open doors to further career mobility within the healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,063 | $18.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,129 | $19.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,056 | $19.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,394 | $23.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,227 | $24.63 |
Median Salary Position
8.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,164 (2026 est.). At $41,056, the local median is 8.78% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Austin Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $41,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,909 | +8.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.78% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Austin, TX earn a median of $41,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.78% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 8.30% above the Texas state average of $37,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,350
2025 BLS Actual
$38,550
2026 Current Est.
$41,056
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.3% from $29,350 (2019) to $38,550 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,374 (48.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $38,063 – $40,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,129 – $41,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,056 – $48,394 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,394 – $51,227 |
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 Austin
In Austin, the competitive landscape for certified nursing assistant pay reflects a strong job market, with approximately 5,600 CNAs employed across various healthcare settings. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.066, suggesting a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power despite the salary slightly trailing the national median. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for roles that involve critical care or specialized services. Factors driving the wage disparity include additional compensation for night and weekend shifts, with pay differentials ranging from $1 to $4 per hour, and premium pay in response to staffing shortages. Understanding these local market dynamics is key to maximizing salary: aspiring CNAs should consider positions with weekend-only shifts or seek out facilities with high acuity needs, as these paths can lead to increased earnings and job satisfaction in Austin's healthcare sector.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $38,550 for certified nursing assistantsin the Austin 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