Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN: $42,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Nashville, TN earns a median $42,078/year (≈ $20.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $43,677 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median certified nursing assistant salary in Nashville, TN, is expected to reach $42,078. This amount reflects a competitive local market, particularly when considering the overall salary range for CNAs in the area, which spans from $36,476 at the 10th percentile to $53,112 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the latest BLS OEWS surveys and indicate how salaries for this profession can significantly vary based on factors such as experience, facility type, and job responsibilities. As many CNAs in Nashville look to bridge their careers towards Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) credentials, understanding the pay scale is essential in evaluating potential career advancements in a city where healthcare demands continue to rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,476 | $17.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,533 | $19.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,078 | $20.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,435 | $22.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,112 | $25.54 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,636 (2026 est.). At $42,078, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Nashville median: $42,078/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,036 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.51% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Nashville, TN earn a median of $42,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.10% above the Tennessee state average of $40,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,078 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,677 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,540
2025 BLS Actual
$39,510
2026 Current Est.
$42,078
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.4% from $28,540 (2019) to $39,510 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,273 (57.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $36,476 – $39,533 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,533 – $42,078 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,078 – $47,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,435 – $53,112 |
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 Nashville
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Nashville is robust, with around 7,420 professionals currently employed in the sector. Coupled with a cost of living index of 96.338, which is below the national average, CNAs in the city can experience a favorable purchasing power when compared to higher-cost metropolitan areas. Healthcare providers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer the highest wages, and the significant variation in pay stems from factors including shift differentials—where night shifts can add $2 to $4 an hour—or premium pay for weekends. This means that those willing to work less desirable hours may see a substantial increase in their overall earnings. Therefore, aspiring CNAs should focus on acquiring additional certifications, exploring agency work during staffing shortages, and considering premium roles that capitalize on their skills to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Nashville, TN.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Nashville?
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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 $39,510 for certified nursing assistantsin the Nashville 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