Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Montgomery, AL: $37,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Montgomery, AL earns a median $37,499/year (≈ $18.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $41,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Montgomery, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $37,499, positioning the region significantly below the national average of $45,007. The salary range for this role varies widely, from $31,141 at the low end (P10) to $42,579 for the top earners (P90). These figures, derived from the latest available BLS OEWS surveys, reflect a post-COVID wage reset, where compensation for CNAs has become more competitive due to increased demand for healthcare professionals. As the industry recovers and grows, Montgomery's job market offers a solid foundation for those entering the nursing field, highlighting the crucial need for certified nursing assistants amid ongoing staffing challenges.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,141 | $14.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,440 | $15.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,499 | $18.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,289 | $19.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,579 | $20.47 |
Median Salary Position
16.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,438 (2026 est.). At $37,499, the local median is 16.68% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be above the median
How Montgomery Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $37,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,679 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.68% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $37,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.68% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.10% above the Alabama state average of $35,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,499 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,813 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.5% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$24,440
2025 BLS Actual
$35,210
2026 Current Est.
$37,499
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 44.1% from $24,440 (2019) to $35,210 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,496 (63.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,141 – $32,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,440 – $37,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,499 – $40,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,289 – $42,579 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Montgomery
With approximately 1,940 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Montgomery, the local job market remains robust, even as living costs are below the national average (CoL index at 89.682). This lower cost of living enhances overall purchasing power, making the estimated salaries more beneficial. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer the highest pay, especially for those who earn shift differentials—nights can add $2 to $4 per hour, while weekends may increase pay by $1 to $3. To maximize earning potential, newly licensed CNAs should consider securing positions that offer premium rates for weekends or obtaining extra certifications such as a CMA for added stipends. As the field evolves, those aiming to bridge their careers into LPN or RN roles will find numerous opportunities available in Montgomery, allowing for vertical mobility within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Montgomery, AL in 2026?
Is Montgomery, AL a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Montgomery?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Montgomery?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Montgomery?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,210 for certified nursing assistantsin the Montgomery metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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