Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $38,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $38,249/year (≈ $18.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $39,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, TX, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) paves the way for a rewarding and relatively stable career. Expected to reach a median annual salary of $38,249 in 2026, this role is notably 15.02% lower than the national median, indicating local economic factors affecting compensation. The salary range varies significantly from $30,732 at the 10th percentile to $45,997 at the 90th percentile, highlighting opportunities for advancement based on experience and specific workplace settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost comparisons, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Port Arthur's job market.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,732 | $14.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,446 | $16.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,249 | $18.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,278 | $20.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,997 | $22.11 |
Median Salary Position
15.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,265 (2026 est.). At $38,249, the local median is 15.02% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $38,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,908 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -15.02% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $38,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.02% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% above the Texas state average of $37,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,843 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
$25,207
2025 BLS Actual
$35,915
2026 Current Est.
$38,249
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,207 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,054 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,736 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,207 (2019) to $35,915 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,529 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $30,732 – $33,446 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,446 – $38,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,249 – $42,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,278 – $45,997 |
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 Port Arthur
The local job market currently employs 12 certified nursing assistants, with a cost-of-living index of 96, suggesting that take-home pay might stretch further than it would in higher-cost areas. In Port Arthur, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer the best pay, often supplemented by shift differentials that can boost earnings—night shifts can add $2-4 per hour, while weekend work often pays an additional $1-3. The disparity between low and high salaries is influenced by factors such as agency premium rates during staffing shortages and additional stipends for certified medication aides. For CNAs looking to maximize their earnings in Port Arthur, pursuing weekend-only roles or obtaining additional certifications can be effective strategies, as they may capitalize on the local need for flexible staffing solutions amidst ongoing workforce challenges.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Port Arthur, TX in 2026?
Is Port Arthur, TX a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Port Arthur?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Port Arthur?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Port Arthur?
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 $35,915 for certified nursing assistantsin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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