Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Corpus Christi, TX: $37,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Corpus Christi, TX earns a median $37,595/year (≈ $18.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Corpus Christi's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $40,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Corpus Christi, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is projected to be $37,595 annually, which is significantly lower—by approximately 16.47%—compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range for these professionals varies, with the bottom 10% earning around $32,664 and the top 90% making up to $45,284. Data used to derive these figures comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the specific pay dynamics in the area. While skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies are common employers, pay differentials can often be found between different healthcare settings, reflecting the demand for CNAs in hospitals versus long-term care facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,664 | $15.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,782 | $16.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,595 | $18.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,193 | $19.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,284 | $21.77 |
Median Salary Position
16.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,620 (2026 est.). At $37,595, the local median is 16.47% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corpus Christi: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corpus Christi Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Corpus Christi median: $37,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corpus Christi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,936 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $37,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $37,936.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corpus Christi has a cost of living 7.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corpus Christi, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.671 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.91% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$26,790
2025 BLS Actual
$35,300
2026 Current Est.
$37,595
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.8% from $26,790 (2019) to $35,300 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,248 (49.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corpus Christi 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) | $32,664 – $33,782 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,782 – $37,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,595 – $40,193 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,193 – $45,284 |
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 Corpus Christi
With around 1,550 certified nursing assistants employed in Corpus Christi, the local job market shows robust demand despite the challenges posed by a relatively low cost of living index of 92.671. This indicates that although salaries are lower than the national average, the purchasing power may remain favorable. Employers such as hospitals typically offer the highest pay packages, particularly for more strenuous assignments in units like ICUs. Variability in wages arises from factors like shift differentials—where working nights can yield an additional $2-4 per hour—and premiums for weekend shifts ranging from $1 to $3 per hour. To maximize earnings, CNAs may consider roles in high-demand settings or positions that offer additional stipends for certified medication aides (CMAs) or weekend-only schedules, while pursuing pathways to further their education and transition into LPN or RN roles could provide greater long-term financial benefits in Corpus Christi's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Corpus Christi, TX in 2026?
Is Corpus Christi, TX a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Corpus Christi?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Corpus Christi?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Corpus Christi?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $35,300 for certified nursing assistantsin the Corpus Christi 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