Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbus, GA: $37,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Columbus, GA earns a median $37,243/year (≈ $17.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $41,707 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Columbus, Georgia's certified nursing assistant salary in Columbus is positioned at a median of $37,243 for 2026, reflecting a reset in wages following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure indicates a competitive market for CNAs, especially in contrast to the national median of $45,007, suggesting that local salaries are approximately 17.25% lower than average. The projected salary range spans from $31,119 at the 10th percentile to $44,655 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of pay based on experience, employer, and specific roles within the healthcare sector. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight how the local job market is stabilizing after a period of significant wage fluctuation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,119 | $14.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,015 | $15.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,243 | $17.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,655 | $21.47 |
Median Salary Position
17.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,536 (2026 est.). At $37,243, the local median is 17.25% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $37,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,916 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -17.25% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus, GA earn a median of $37,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.30% below the Georgia state average of $38,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.296 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,243 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,707 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$21,380
2025 BLS Actual
$34,970
2026 Current Est.
$37,243
2019–2027 Growth
+85.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 63.6% from $21,380 (2019) to $34,970 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,284 (85.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $31,119 – $33,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,015 – $37,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,243 – $39,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,490 – $44,655 |
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 Columbus
The Columbus job market for CNAs is robust, with approximately 1,130 certified nursing assistants employed locally. This employment level, coupled with a cost-of-living index of 89.296, suggests that while wages may be lower than the national average, they remain relatively appropriate for the local lifestyle. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, especially for positions requiring night shifts or weekend availability, where differential pay can add $1 to $4 per hour. Factors influencing the salary range include shift differentials, staffing shortages that drive agency pay, and certification stipends like those for certified medication aides. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, leveraging weekend-only roles or pursuing further certifications can significantly enhance pay in this specific market, creating clear pathways to advancement within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
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 $34,970 for certified nursing assistantsin the Columbus 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