Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $42,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $42,547/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $44,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, the projected salary for certified nursing assistants has seen a significant adjustment in the post-COVID era, now standing at a median annual rate of $42,547. This figure is slightly below the national median of $45,007, emphasizing the specific conditions of the local job market. The salary distribution for CNAs in the area ranges from $37,531 at the 10th percentile to $52,185 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse spectrum of earning potential. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the gradual recovery and stabilization of wages following the pandemic-induced volatility in healthcare employment. Albuquerque's CNA job market reflects the effects of a national staffing crisis, with growing demand for patient care professionals amid persistent turnover rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,531 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,907 | $19.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,547 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,362 | $23.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,185 | $25.09 |
Median Salary Position
5.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,654 (2026 est.). At $42,547, the local median is 5.47% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albuquerque Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $42,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $42,504 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $42,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.10% above the New Mexico state average of $42,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,547 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,530 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,370
2025 BLS Actual
$39,950
2026 Current Est.
$42,547
2019–2027 Growth
+54.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,312 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 36.0% from $29,370 (2019) to $39,950 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,312 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,942 (54.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $37,531 – $40,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,907 – $42,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,547 – $48,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,362 – $52,185 |
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 Albuquerque
As of 2026, approximately 2,110 certified nursing assistants are employed in Albuquerque, NM, representing a stable segment of the healthcare workforce. The cost of living in the region, indexed at 95.546, is notably lower than the national average, which allows for a more substantial purchasing power despite the current salary levels. Employers offering the highest wages typically include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly in critical care areas such as medical/surgical floors and ICUs. The discrepancy in pay often arises from factors like shift differentials, where evening and weekend shifts can yield an additional $1 to $4 per hour, as well as agency premiums during staffing shortages. CNAs looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing CMA certification, opting for weekend-only roles, and leveraging acuity-based pay structures at facilities to enhance their overall salary in Albuquerque. Given the growth rate of 6.50% projected for this occupation, career advancement opportunities remain promising as CNAs bridge pathways toward LPN and RN licensure.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 $39,950 for certified nursing assistantsin the Albuquerque 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