CNA Salary

Dothan vs Huntsville: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Dothan, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dothan, AL
$31,769
$15.27/hr
Huntsville, AL
$37,499
$18.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDothan, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$31,769$37,499
Hourly Rate$15.27$18.03
Entry Level (P10)$25,209$29,927
25th Percentile$28,329$32,408
75th Percentile$36,434$38,425
Top Earner (P90)$39,501$41,812
Total Employed9302,660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dothan ($31,769) and Huntsville ($37,499) certified nursing assistant salaries.DothanHuntsvilleMedian Salary$31,769$37,499Entry Level (P10)$25,209$29,927Top Earner (P90)$39,501$41,812US Median $45,007

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dothan.

The salary gap between Dothan and Huntsville is $5,730 (18.04%). Huntsville's median is -16.68% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dothan spans $14,292,Huntsville spans $11,885. Dothan has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dothan
P10 (Entry)$25,209
P25$28,329
Median$31,769
P75$36,434
P90 (Top)$39,501
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$29,927
P25$32,408
Median$37,499
P75$38,425
P90 (Top)$41,812

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($40,290 effective) pays 6.32% more than Dothan ($37,896 effective).

Dothan
Nominal: $31,769
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $37,896
Huntsville
Nominal: $37,499
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $40,290

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dothan if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,499/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($41,812)
  • Larger job market (2,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,290)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Dothan grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.0% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Dothan, AL

+30.0%

$22,950 (2019) → $29,830 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+42.0%

$24,790 (2019) → $35,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Dothan or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $37,499/year, compared to Dothan at $31,769/year — a difference of $5,730 (18.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dothan and Huntsville?

Dothan certified nursing assistants earn $15.27/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $18.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dothan to Huntsville as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dothan and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dothan = $37,896, Huntsville = $40,290), job availability (930 vs 2,660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Dothan vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $25,209 in Dothan and $29,927 in Huntsville. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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