Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Augusta, GA: $19.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Augusta, GA runs $19.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,554 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Augusta's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,738 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $19.02 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate reflects the reality for many part-time workers in the role, such as those who might work three days a week in various settings including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. With the hourly range falling between $14.85 at the lower end and $22.58 at the higher end, new CNAs can expect to begin at an entry-level wage, while more experienced professionals can earn significantly more, especially in specialized environments such as hospital ICUs or hospice care. These figures are official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight both the opportunities and challenges faced by CNAs in Augusta.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.85 | $118.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.19 | $137.51 |
| Median (P50) | $19.02 | $152.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.27 | $162.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.58 | $180.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Augusta
Based on $19.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.02/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Augusta, GA can expect to earn approximately $39,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,825. With a cost-of-living index of 91.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Augusta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Augusta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $760.84 | $3,297 | $39,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $456.50 | $1,978 | $23,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $304.33 | $1,319 | $15,825 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Augusta) | $19.02 |
| 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 Augusta, GA earn a median of $39,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% above the Georgia state average of $38,931.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.02/hr = $23,738/year (purchasing power: $25,829).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,563/year (purchasing power: $43,049).
CoL index: 91.903 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Augusta grew 44.8% from $12.33/hr (2019) to $17.86/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.26/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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Considering part-time work, a certified nursing assistant operating on a three-day work week (24 hours) would earn approximately $25,000 annually, which is a fraction of what full-time employees make. For those seeking greater flexibility, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Augusta can be quite lucrative, with agency CNAs often billing between $22 and $32 per hour. In shortage markets, weekend contracts could yield earnings of $30 to $45 per hour. However, the varying hourly rates can depend significantly on the type of employer; while hospitals may offer higher rates, skilled nursing facilities might provide better benefits that could attract some CNAs. For those negotiating their pay, it is essential to consider the balance between hourly rates and benefits, as some positions offer lower pay but include health insurance and other advantages. For CNAs, strategic negotiation on shifts, especially during peak times like weekends or holidays, can further enhance their earning potential in Augusta.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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
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 Augusta. 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