Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Canton, GA: $36,885 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Canton, GA earns a median $36,885/year (≈ $17.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Canton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $39,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Canton, Georgia, reaching a certified nursing assistant (CNA) role is often a stepping stone toward higher qualifications, such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials. For 2026, CNAs in Canton can expect a median annual salary of $36,885, which falls significantly below the national median of $45,007. The local salary range provides variation, with entry-level positions earning approximately $30,654 and experienced CNAs potentially reaching up to $44,635. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic factors, highlight the wage realities for CNAs in this region. As local employers look to attract and retain talent in the wake of staffing challenges intensified by the pandemic, the certified nursing assistant salary in Canton remains a vital part of the healthcare workforce.
About the Canton Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,654 | $14.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,939 | $15.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,885 | $17.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,133 | $19.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,635 | $21.46 |
Median Salary Position
18.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,981 (2026 est.). At $36,885, the local median is 18.05% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Canton Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Canton median: $36,885/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,908 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.05% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Canton, GA earn a median of $36,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.05% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% below the Georgia state average of $38,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,885 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,619 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% 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
$24,308
2025 BLS Actual
$34,634
2026 Current Est.
$36,885
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,308 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,634 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,885 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,308 (2019) to $34,634 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,975 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $30,654 – $32,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,939 – $36,885 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,885 – $41,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,133 – $44,635 |
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 Canton
The job market in Canton currently accommodates just four certified nursing assistants, illustrating a compact yet potentially competitive environment. This limited number of positions correlates with a cost-of-living index of 93.1, indicating a slightly lower living expense than the national average. As a result, CNAs might find that take-home pay affords them a decent quality of life, but pursuing higher wages is advisable. To maximize earnings, seeking out employment in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies—which generally offer higher pay—can be effective. Shift differentials of $2-4 per hour for night shifts, weekend premiums, and potential stipends for additional certifications can further enhance income. With projected growth in this sector at 6.50% annually, the career path offers opportunities not just for stable employment but also for advancement into roles as LPNs or RNs, aligning with industry trends post-COVID.
More salary data for Canton, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Canton, GA in 2026?
Is Canton, GA a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Canton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Canton?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Canton?
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
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 $34,634 for certified nursing assistantsin the Canton 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 Canton 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