CNA Salary

Columbus vs Roswell: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Columbus, GA and Roswell, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$37,243
$17.90/hr
Roswell, GA
$40,958
$19.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GARoswell, GA
Median Salary$37,243$40,958
Hourly Rate$17.90$19.69
Entry Level (P10)$31,119$33,196
25th Percentile$33,015$36,031
75th Percentile$39,490$46,447
Top Earner (P90)$44,655$51,004
Total Employed1,13019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($37,243) and Roswell ($40,958) certified nursing assistant salaries.ColumbusRoswellMedian Salary$37,243$40,958Entry Level (P10)$31,119$33,196Top Earner (P90)$44,655$51,004US Median $45,007

Verdict

Roswell, GA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Roswell is $3,715 (9.98%). Roswell's median is -9.00% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $13,536,Roswell spans $17,808. Roswell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$31,119
P25$33,015
Median$37,243
P75$39,490
P90 (Top)$44,655
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$33,196
P25$36,031
Median$40,958
P75$46,447
P90 (Top)$51,004

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roswell ($43,994 effective) pays 5.48% more than Columbus ($41,707 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $37,243
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $41,707
Roswell
Nominal: $40,958
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $43,994

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Larger job market (1,130 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,958/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,004)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,994)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Columbus grew 63.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.4% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+63.6%

$21,380 (2019) → $34,970 (2025)

Roswell, GA

+29.4%

$29,726 (2024) → $38,458 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Columbus or Roswell?

Roswell has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,958/year, compared to Columbus at $37,243/year — a difference of $3,715 (9.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Roswell?

Columbus certified nursing assistants earn $17.90/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $19.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Roswell as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $41,707, Roswell = $43,994), job availability (1,130 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Columbus vs Roswell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $31,119 in Columbus and $33,196 in Roswell. The Roswell area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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