Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Valdosta, GA: $36,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Valdosta, GA earns a median $36,253/year (≈ $17.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Valdosta's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $41,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Valdosta, Georgia, the median annual salary is projected to be $36,253 in 2026, revealing a significant gap compared to the national average of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs in this city fluctuates from $29,128 at the lower decile (P10) to $44,911 at the higher decile (P90), based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. This compensation landscape reflects both the demand for skilled healthcare workers and the ongoing need for certified nursing assistants in the local healthcare sector. As Valdosta continues to expand its medical facilities and services, the opportunities for advancement—especially through bridging programs to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials—are likely to grow, influencing future salary trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,128 | $14.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,822 | $15.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,253 | $17.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,063 | $18.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,911 | $21.60 |
Median Salary Position
19.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valdosta
In Valdosta, GA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,783 (2026 est.). At $36,253, the local median is 19.45% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Valdosta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Valdosta Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Valdosta median: $36,253/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valdosta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,898 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -19.45% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Valdosta, GA earn a median of $36,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.45% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.80% below the Georgia state average of $38,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valdosta has a cost of living 11.73% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Valdosta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 88.271 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,253 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,070 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,430
2025 BLS Actual
$34,040
2026 Current Est.
$36,253
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valdosta metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 24.1% from $27,430 (2019) to $34,040 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,179 (40.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valdosta 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) | $29,128 – $31,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,822 – $36,253 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,253 – $38,063 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,063 – $44,911 |
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 Valdosta
The job market in Valdosta currently employs around 470 certified nursing assistants, and this workforce must navigate a cost-of-living index of 88.271, which is below the national average. This lower cost translates into better purchasing power for CNAs when compared to other regions. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer higher wages, particularly due to the added responsibilities in acute care settings. Factors contributing to salary variations include shift differentials, with nights often earning an extra $2-$4 per hour and weekends providing additional premiums of up to $3. For those aiming to boost their certified nursing assistant pay in Valdosta, pursuing agency roles during staffing shortages or obtaining CMA certification can be lucrative avenues. Furthermore, focusing on higher-acuity units or taking on weekend-only shifts can increase overall earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Valdosta, 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 $34,040 for certified nursing assistantsin the Valdosta 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