Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $15.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $15.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $32,419 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,458 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $15.59, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This pay scale can influence decisions for both part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants, who often find themselves working in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living communities. With an hourly range from $13.76 at the entry-level to $18.21 for top earners, opportunities for advancement do exist within the profession. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflect the realities faced by CNAs as they navigate shift differentials and additional pay for weekend work.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.76 | $110.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.58 | $124.65 |
| Median (P50) | $15.59 | $124.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.31 | $138.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.21 | $145.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $15.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.59/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $32,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $18,710. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $623.66 | $2,703 | $32,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $374.20 | $1,622 | $19,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $249.47 | $1,081 | $12,972 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Hattiesburg) | $15.59 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $32,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.97% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 16.00% below the Mississippi state average of $38,594.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.59/hr = $19,458/year (purchasing power: $22,204).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $32,431/year (purchasing power: $37,007).
CoL index: 87.633 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$10.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $10.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Hattiesburg grew 37.2% from $10.67/hr (2019) to $14.64/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.61/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
For those considering a part-time schedule, a certified nursing assistant working three days a week for 24 hours may earn around $19,847 annually, significantly less than a full-time worker in this role. Per diem CNAs have the potential for greater earnings, often billing between $22 and $32 per hour, particularly for weekend-only contracts that can command premiums of $30 to $45 in shortage areas. Different employer types in Hattiesburg, from medical-surgical floors to home health agencies, can also affect hourly pay. Some CNAs may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, while others might prioritize higher pay without health insurance. Given the competitive environment, negotiating effectively for per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Hattiesburg can provide a strategic advantage, particularly as more professionals explore opportunities to bridge into LPN or RN roles amidst ongoing workforce demands in the post-COVID recovery phase.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, 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
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 Hattiesburg. 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