Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $37,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Jonesboro, AR 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 Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $43,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants stands at $37,499 for 2026. This figure reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $45,007, positioning local certified nursing assistant pay at approximately 16.68% lower than the national average. The full salary range extends from $31,428 at the 10th percentile to $41,556 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market with varying compensation levels. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, provide a clear picture of the financial landscape for nursing assistants in the area. As the demand for healthcare workers continues to rise, especially as many professionals transition into higher nursing credentials, Jonesboro's job market remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,428 | $15.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,504 | $15.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,499 | $18.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,372 | $18.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,556 | $19.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,128 (2026 est.). At $37,499, the local median is 16.68% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be above the median
How Jonesboro Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $37,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.68% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $37,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.68% lower than the national median of $45,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,499 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,330
2025 BLS Actual
$35,210
2026 Current Est.
$37,499
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.0% from $25,330 (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 $14,606 (57.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $31,428 – $32,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,504 – $37,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,499 – $38,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,372 – $41,556 |
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 Jonesboro
In the Jonesboro area, approximately 1,050 certified nursing assistants are currently employed, indicating a stable local job market. The cost of living index in Jonesboro is 85.876, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances the take-home purchasing power of certified nursing assistants, though it still presents challenges due to the overall compensation trends. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest wages, while home health agencies might provide more flexible hours but often at lower rates. The disparity in pay often results from factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts yield additional pay of $2 to $4 per hour and weekend work can provide $1 to $3 extra per hour. To maximize earnings in this particular market, aspiring CNAs should consider obtaining additional certifications like CMA to qualify for bonuses and strategically seek weekend-only roles or positions in facilities with higher acuity, which often pay more.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
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 $35,210 for certified nursing assistantsin the Jonesboro 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