Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Copperas Cove, TX: $36,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Copperas Cove, TX earns a median $36,665/year (≈ $17.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Copperas Cove's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $38,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Copperas Cove, the local certified nursing assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $36,665 in 2026, reflecting the post-COVID wage reset. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $31,806 (P10) and those at the higher end making approximately $44,459 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, illustrate where the market has stabilized after years of volatility. Compared to the national median annual salary of $45,007, the salary for certified nursing assistants in Copperas Cove is approximately 18.53% lower, highlighting the need for potential job seekers to consider the broader economic environment when evaluating compensation prospects.
About the Copperas Cove Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,806 | $15.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,665 | $17.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,943 | $19.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,459 | $21.37 |
Median Salary Position
18.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Copperas Cove
In Copperas Cove, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,653 (2026 est.). At $36,665, the local median is 18.53% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Copperas Cove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Copperas Cove Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Copperas Cove median: $36,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Copperas Cove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,916 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.53% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Copperas Cove, TX earn a median of $36,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.53% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $37,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Copperas Cove has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Copperas Cove, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,162
2025 BLS Actual
$34,427
2026 Current Est.
$36,665
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Copperas Cove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,132 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,427 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Copperas Cove metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,162 (2019) to $34,427 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,886 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Copperas Cove 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) | $31,806 – $32,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,800 – $36,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,665 – $40,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,943 – $44,459 |
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 Copperas Cove
With only seven certified nursing assistants employed in the area, Copperas Cove's job market for this role is quite limited yet steady. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 96, indicating a slightly lower living expense compared to the national average. This could provide a better take-home purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities tend to offer the most competitive pay rates. The salary variation can be largely attributed to factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends, agency pay premiums during periods of staffing shortages, and specialized pay for those holding CMA certifications. For CNAs aiming to maximize their earnings in Copperas Cove, pursuing evening or weekend shifts, as well as considering roles with higher acuity care, may provide significant financial benefits along their career path.
More salary data for Copperas Cove, 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 $34,427 for certified nursing assistantsin the Copperas Cove 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 Copperas Cove 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