Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Dallas, TX: $41,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Dallas, TX earns a median $41,034/year (≈ $19.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Dallas's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.1), that paycheck buys what $39,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Reaching the credential of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Dallas, Texas, brings with it a median annual salary of $41,034 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $45,007. The salary for CNAs in this area falls within a range from $38,180 at the 10th percentile to $52,281 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from the projected figures based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the ongoing demand in the healthcare sector and highlight a potential pathway for nursing professionals seeking higher earnings through further education, such as transitioning to licensed practical nurse (LPN) roles. Given the substantial competition and workforce challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, the job outlook in Dallas remains robust for those in patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,799 | $19.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,034 | $19.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,127 | $23.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,281 | $25.13 |
Median Salary Position
8.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dallas
In Dallas, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,101 (2026 est.). At $41,034, the local median is 8.83% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Dallas: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Dallas Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Dallas median: $41,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dallas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,925 | +8.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.83% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Dallas, TX earn a median of $41,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.83% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 8.20% above the Texas state average of $37,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dallas has a cost of living 3.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dallas, TX has a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $41,034 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $39,804 — a 3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,760
2025 BLS Actual
$38,530
2026 Current Est.
$41,034
2019–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dallas metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 34.0% from $28,760 (2019) to $38,530 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,942 (51.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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) | $38,180 – $39,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,799 – $41,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,034 – $48,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,127 – $52,281 |
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 Dallas
The local job market is significant, employing around 23,420 certified nursing assistants in the Dallas region, which supports competitive salaries amid a cost of living index at 103.09, indicating higher expenses compared to the national average. This reality means that a steady paycheck must be paired with effective budgeting strategies to ensure satisfactory purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, especially in critical care settings like medical-surgical floors and ICUs. The disparity in pay arises from factors such as shift differentials, where night shifts can yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour, as well as premium rates during weekends and for specialized roles. As CNAs and aspiring healthcare professionals look to maximize their pay in Dallas, focusing on flexible shifts and additional certifications can help tap into the higher wage brackets.
More salary data for Dallas, 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 $38,530 for certified nursing assistantsin the Dallas 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