Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in San Antonio, TX: $39,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in San Antonio, TX earns a median $39,192/year (≈ $18.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $41,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, the current certified nursing assistant salary stands at a median annual rate of $39,192 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $32,802 and top earnings reaching $49,107. This post-COVID wage reset reflects the local job market's adaptation, as healthcare facilities strive to attract and retain skilled professionals amid ongoing staffing challenges. While this salary is considerably lower than the national median of $45,007, it underscores the competitive nature of the local market, which has made strides to improve compensation in response to high turnover rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,802 | $15.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,733 | $18.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,192 | $18.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,848 | $22.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,107 | $23.61 |
Median Salary Position
12.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,305 (2026 est.). At $39,192, the local median is 12.92% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $39,192/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $37,940 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.92% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $39,192 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.92% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% above the Texas state average of $37,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,192 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,378 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,790
2025 BLS Actual
$36,800
2026 Current Est.
$39,192
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.4% from $26,790 (2019) to $36,800 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,949 (55.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $32,802 – $37,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,733 – $39,192 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,192 – $45,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,848 – $49,107 |
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 San Antonio
With approximately 7,080 certified nursing assistants working in San Antonio, the local job market remains robust, fostering competitive salaries that vary widely based on experience, facility type, and shift differentials. The cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 94.716, suggests that take-home earnings may stretch further compared to other markets. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer the highest pay, and shifts during nights and weekends often come with premiums that can significantly boost income. Variables like agency pay during staffing shortages, as well as certifications such as CMA, further contribute to the disparity in earnings. For those considering a path as a certified nursing assistant in San Antonio, maximizing income potential could involve seeking weekend-only roles or pursuing qualifications that pave the way for advancement to LPN or RN positions, which are common career steps from this entry-level role.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 $36,800 for certified nursing assistantsin the San Antonio 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