Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Pharr, TX: $37,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Pharr, TX earns a median $37,667/year (≈ $18.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Pharr's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $39,236 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pharr, Texas, the certified nursing assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $37,667 by 2026. This represents a significant adjustment in the post-COVID landscape, where wage resets have impacted various healthcare roles. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in the area varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $29,078 (P10) and experienced workers earning up to $47,484 (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrating the current labor market's realities. As healthcare facilities strive to recover and stabilize following the pandemic's effects, Pharr's job market is gradually showing signs of resilience and growth.
About the Pharr Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,078 | $13.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,308 | $16.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,667 | $18.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,062 | $20.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,484 | $22.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pharr
In Pharr, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,406 (2026 est.). At $37,667, the local median is 16.31% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pharr: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pharr Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Pharr median: $37,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pharr Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,932 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.31% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Pharr, TX earn a median of $37,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.31% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $37,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pharr 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.
Pharr, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,667 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,236 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
$24,823
2025 BLS Actual
$35,368
2026 Current Est.
$37,667
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Pharr (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,367 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,418 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,368 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pharr metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,823 (2019) to $35,368 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,292 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pharr 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) | $29,078 – $34,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,308 – $37,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,667 – $43,062 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,062 – $47,484 |
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 Pharr
The local job market shows a foundational strength, with 18 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Pharr, TX. The cost-of-living index of 96 suggests that healthcare workers can maintain a decent standard of living despite lower salaries relative to national averages. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the best compensation, though hospitals and home health agencies are increasingly competitive. Wage variability arises from factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts often commanding an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend shifts offering an extra $1 to $3. To maximize earnings in the Pharr market, aspiring CNAs should consider agency roles during staffing shortages, explore weekend-only positions, and pursue certifications like Certified Medication Aide (CMA) which could enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Pharr, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Pharr, TX in 2026?
Is Pharr, TX a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Pharr?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Pharr?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Pharr?
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 $35,368 for certified nursing assistantsin the Pharr 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 Pharr 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