Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Little Elm, TX: $36,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Little Elm, TX earns a median $36,800/year (≈ $17.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $38,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in Little Elm, TX, is estimated at $36,800. This figure reveals a significant gap when compared to the national median salary of $45,007, reflecting a difference of 18.23%. Local salaries range from $29,112 at the 10th percentile to $42,618 at the 90th percentile, indicating the various compensation levels across different facilities and roles. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, illustrate the local dynamics influencing CNA compensation. In a market where many certified nursing assistants view their roles as stepping stones to LPN or RN positions, understanding salary expectations is crucial, particularly in a competitive hiring landscape as facilities strive to retain talent.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,112 | $13.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,903 | $16.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,874 | $19.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,618 | $20.49 |
Median Salary Position
18.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,506 (2026 est.). At $36,800, the local median is 18.23% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be above the median
How Little Elm Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $36,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,938 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.23% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $36,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $37,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm 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.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,333 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,252
2025 BLS Actual
$34,554
2026 Current Est.
$36,800
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Little Elm (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,783 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,672 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,192 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,252 (2019) to $34,554 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,940 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $29,112 – $33,903 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,903 – $36,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,800 – $39,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,874 – $42,618 |
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 Little Elm
The local job market in Little Elm has approximately 12 certified nursing assistants actively employed, and with a cost-of-living index of 96, it is slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of CNAs, even with relatively modest salaries. Home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation in the area, with factors such as shift differentials for evenings and weekends allowing select positions to command higher rates—between $1 to $4 per hour. Moreover, strategies like pursuing CMA certification or seeking weekend-only roles can further maximize earnings. Understanding these local trends and employer pay structures can be instrumental for CNAs aiming to increase their pay in Little Elm's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Little Elm, 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 $34,554 for certified nursing assistantsin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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