Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Jackson, MS: $29,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Jackson, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $29,831 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jackson's local price level (BEA RPP 89.0 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $33,500 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,123) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting out as a certified nursing assistant in Jackson, MS, presents both opportunities and challenges for recent graduates. In 2026, the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Jackson is projected to be around $29,831, setting the foundation for what can be expected in terms of first-job pay. Compared to the overall city median of $34,123, new CNAs can anticipate a gap as they establish themselves in the field. Over the first three to five years, salaries may progress from this entry point through the 25th percentile, which is projected at $30,065, eventually reaching the median. Currently, the job market in Jackson is favorable for newcomers, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, suggesting that the demand for certified nursing assistants is on the rise, thereby creating increasing salary potential right from the start.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jackson
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Jackson, MS typically start between $29,831 and $30,065 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $10,575 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,123 — 24.18% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Mississippi of $1,000 represents just 3.35% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($29,831/year) in Jackson. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Jackson
- 1Research the Jackson market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $29,831 to $30,065, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jackson, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Jackson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jackson's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Jackson is $10,575 ( 35.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $29,831, experienced hygienists can earn up to $40,406.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$19,910
2025 BLS Actual
$28,010
2026 Current Est.
$29,831
2019–2027 Growth
+59.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $20,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $23,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,770 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Jackson, MS grew 40.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,910 in 2019 to $28,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $31,770. New graduates entering the Jackson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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.
Starting Your nursing Career in Jackson
In Jackson, several types of employers frequently seek to hire new graduate certified nursing assistants, each with distinct characteristics. Skilled nursing facilities typically hire the majority of entry-level CNAs and often provide paid training programs, which can be beneficial for recent graduates. On the other hand, hospitals may lean towards experienced CNAs but sometimes offer apprenticeship pathways to ease skilled newcomers into their roles. Home health agencies are ideal for those looking to maintain a flexible schedule as they often prioritize candidates who can adapt to varying hours. To enhance starting certified nursing assistant pay in MS, obtaining relevant credentials is vital; state CNA certification, which requires a 75-hour training course and passing a state exam, is essential. Additional qualifications like CPR/BLS or even a medication aide certification can further increase earning potential. Given the post-COVID staffing crisis that affected many in the profession, new CNAs can navigate potential wage increases; while first-year salaries may be modest, steady growth into the mid-range within the first few years is realistic, especially for those aiming to transition into LPN or RN roles later on.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Jackson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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