Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $17.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Columbus, GA runs $17.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,343 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Georgia, certified nursing assistants receive a median hourly pay of $17.90, which falls below the national hourly median of $21.64. This discrepancy reflects regional economic variances and suggests that new CNAs entering the workforce or those working per-diem might face budget constraints. For instance, part-time employees working three days a week typically earn about $429 weekly before taxes, making their annual income reliant on supplementary shifts or overtime, as well as opportunities to work in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. According to official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the hourly wages for certified nursing assistants in Columbus range from $14.96 at the entry-level to $21.47 for seasoned professionals, presenting a tangible opportunity for growth within this essential healthcare role.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.96 | $119.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.87 | $126.95 |
| Median (P50) | $17.90 | $143.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.99 | $151.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.47 | $171.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $17.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.90/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $37,238 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,483. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $716.11 | $3,103 | $37,238 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $429.66 | $1,862 | $22,343 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $286.44 | $1,241 | $14,895 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Columbus) | $17.90 |
| 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 Columbus, GA earn a median of $37,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.30% below the Georgia state average of $38,916.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.90/hr = $22,343/year (purchasing power: $25,021).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,238/year (purchasing power: $41,701).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$10.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+85.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $10.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Columbus grew 63.5% from $10.28/hr (2019) to $16.81/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.07/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Hourly earnings can vary widely depending on work availability and employer type in Columbus. For certified nursing assistants working part-time, a 24-hour weekly schedule could yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time workers, underscoring the importance of considering multiple job options. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Columbus has become an attractive alternative, with agencies often billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Weekend-only contracts can reach rates of $30 to $45 in shortage markets, a compelling option for those able to work these shifts. Additionally, while skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals offer steady employment, they may provide lower hourly rates compared to hospice or home health agencies, which could lead to trade-offs between pay and benefits. For practical negotiations, understanding local market rates for specific roles can empower CNAs to advocate effectively for their worth as they map their career paths, whether considering transitions to LPN or RN roles or aiming for specialized work in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Columbus in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Columbus?
Are certified nursing assistants in Columbus paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Columbus?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 Columbus. 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