Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Surprise, AZ: $45,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Surprise, AZ earns a median $45,845/year (≈ $22.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $46,543 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, certified nursing assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $45,845 in 2026, reflecting a slightly favorable position compared to the national median of $45,007. The local salary spectrum ranges from $37,193 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $57,641 (P90), providing a range that can accommodate various levels of experience and certification. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, showcase the promising financial prospects within the healthcare sector in Surprise. As the demand for qualified nursing professionals continues to rise, those entering the workforce as CNAs have the potential not only to secure stable employment but also to further their careers through certification paths such as LPN or RN, which often come with significant salary increases.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($39,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,193 | $17.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,513 | $19.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,845 | $22.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,014 | $25.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,641 | $27.71 |
Median Salary Position
1.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,448 (2026 est.). At $45,845, the local median is 1.86% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Surprise median: $45,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $45,937 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +1.86% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $45,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $45,937.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,543 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,212
2025 BLS Actual
$43,047
2026 Current Est.
$45,845
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,425 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,911 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,825 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $30,212 (2019) to $43,047 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,825 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,613 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $37,193 – $40,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,513 – $45,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,845 – $52,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,014 – $57,641 |
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 Surprise
Surprise's job market currently employs 31 certified nursing assistants, indicating a cohesive community of healthcare workers despite the ongoing pressure from staffing shortages in the post-COVID era. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, suggesting that take-home salaries for CNAs are relatively balanced against local living expenses, allowing for decent purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals typically offer the highest pay rates within Surprise, often influenced by shift differentials that can boost hourly wages by $2-4 for night shifts or $1-3 on weekends. This dynamic creates a pay spread that reflects varying job demands and staffing needs. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring CNAs should consider seeking positions with higher acuity patient care or additional certifications that come with financial incentives while strategically opting for shifts that offer premium pay.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
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
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 $43,047 for certified nursing assistantsin the Surprise 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
Salary data for Surprise is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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