Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Galveston, TX: $38,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Galveston, TX earns a median $38,043/year (≈ $18.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $39,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Galveston, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $38,043 in 2026, which reflects a notable 15.47% lower figure compared to the national median of $45,007. The projected salary range for this occupation in the region spans from $29,937 at the 10th percentile to $46,303 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions. In Galveston, where there's a mix of skilled nursing facilities and hospital opportunities, the pay can vary significantly, creating a competitive landscape for certified nursing assistants navigating their career paths.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,937 | $14.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,824 | $15.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,043 | $18.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,303 | $22.26 |
Median Salary Position
15.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,366 (2026 est.). At $38,043, the local median is 15.47% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Galveston median: $38,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,929 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -15.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Galveston, TX earn a median of $38,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $37,929.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% 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
$25,071
2025 BLS Actual
$35,721
2026 Current Est.
$38,043
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,289 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,071 (2019) to $35,721 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,445 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $29,937 – $32,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,824 – $38,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,043 – $42,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,470 – $46,303 |
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 Galveston
In terms of employment, there are currently 10 certified nursing assistants employed locally, indicating a tightly-knit job market. The cost of living index in Galveston stands at 96, suggesting that housing and daily expenses are somewhat below the national average, which can positively impact purchasing power for those in the position. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer competitive wages, with higher salaries generally found in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units and medical-surgical floors. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to various factors including shift differentials, with night shifts earning an extra $2-4 per hour, and weekends providing a premium of $1-3. Additional incentives such as agency premiums during staffing shortages or stipends for certified medication aides can further enhance earnings. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring CNAs may want to consider pursuing specialized roles, taking on weekend shifts, or seeking additional certifications as a pathway to more lucrative positions.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Galveston, TX in 2026?
Is Galveston, TX a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Galveston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Galveston?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Galveston?
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 $35,721 for certified nursing assistantsin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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