Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Dalton, GA: $38,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Dalton, GA earns a median $38,457/year (≈ $18.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $42,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in Dalton, Georgia, is projected to be $38,457. This figure reflects a significant adjustment following the post-COVID wage reset, positioning local salaries lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range varies from $31,023 at the 10th percentile to $47,137 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates varying levels of experience and responsibility. These insights stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, underscoring the evolving dynamics of the healthcare workforce in Dalton. Given the continued demand for certified nursing assistants, those entering the field can expect ongoing opportunities for growth and advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,023 | $14.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,087 | $14.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,457 | $18.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,342 | $19.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,137 | $22.66 |
Median Salary Position
14.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,114 (2026 est.). At $38,457, the local median is 14.55% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Dalton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dalton Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Dalton median: $38,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,924 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.55% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Dalton, GA earn a median of $38,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.55% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.20% below the Georgia state average of $38,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,270
2025 BLS Actual
$36,110
2026 Current Est.
$38,457
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.9% from $25,270 (2019) to $36,110 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,687 (62.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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) | $31,023 – $31,087 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,087 – $38,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,457 – $40,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,342 – $47,137 |
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 Dalton
With approximately 390 certified nursing assistants employed in Dalton, the local market shows resilience, especially considering the cost of living index of 89.844, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances take-home pay, allowing CNAs to maintain a reasonable quality of life even amid a salary structure that hovers below the national mean. It’s crucial to recognize that the highest pay typically comes from skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals, where staff may earn additional shift differentials for night and weekend work, boosting their hourly rates significantly. Moreover, factors that contribute to salary variation include agency premiums during staffing shortages and additional certifications like the CMA stipend. For those seeking to enhance their earnings in Dalton's competitive healthcare market, pursuing weekend-only roles or additional certifications can be strategic moves to maximize pay and future opportunities.
More salary data for Dalton, 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 $36,110 for certified nursing assistantsin the Dalton 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