Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Tuscaloosa, AL: $16.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Tuscaloosa, AL runs $16.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Tuscaloosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,000 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay sits at $16.83, which is significantly lower than the national median of $21.64. This difference highlights the region’s overall cost of living, which remains below the national average, thereby influencing what employers can offer. For part-time workers in this field, such as those working three days a week, the annual earnings may be modest but still provide crucial income in typical settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and homes for hospice care. Entry-level positions start around $14.90 an hour, while experienced CNAs can earn up to $22.94 per hour, reflecting the demand for skilled care providers in environments that range from rehabilitation facilities to assisted living apartments. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, underlines the variety in earning potential across different employment scenarios within the profession.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.90 | $119.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.49 | $123.88 |
| Median (P50) | $16.83 | $134.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.64 | $149.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.94 | $183.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tuscaloosa
Based on $16.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.83/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tuscaloosa, AL can expect to earn approximately $35,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,192. With a cost-of-living index of 87.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tuscaloosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tuscaloosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $673.08 | $2,917 | $35,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $403.85 | $1,750 | $21,000 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $269.23 | $1,167 | $14,000 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Tuscaloosa) | $16.83 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $34,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.24% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.90% below the Alabama state average of $35,674.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.83/hr = $21,000/year (purchasing power: $23,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,000/year (purchasing power: $39,899).
CoL index: 87.722 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Tuscaloosa grew 35.9% from $11.63/hr (2019) to $15.80/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Tuscaloosa
A part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $26,683 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Those interested in more flexible working arrangements might consider per diem roles, where pay rates for agency CNAs can range from $22 to $32. Premium weekend shifts sometimes offer between $30 and $45 in shortage markets, though such opportunities remain less common than full-time jobs. The variety in hourly rates across employer types in Tuscaloosa is also notable; skilled nursing facilities typically pay less than hospitals, particularly on medical-surgical floors or ICUs. Many CNAs face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly wages with the benefits of health insurance and higher pay without safety nets. Understanding local market dynamics can aid negotiation, with many employers in AL willing to consider higher rates for experienced CNAs, especially in settings with staffing shortages.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Tuscaloosa in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Tuscaloosa?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Tuscaloosa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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