How Much Does a CNA Make in Alabama in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Alabama, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Alabama · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Alabama earns about $16.41 per hour ($34,140 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That trails the national figure by about 19%, and Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Still, the state employs a large CNA workforce of 25,250 workers, showing steady demand even as pay runs lower than in many other states.
How much does a CNA make in Alabama?
CNA pay by career stage in Alabama
| Career stage | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,330$13.62 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $30,060$14.45 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $34,140$16.41 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $36,390$17.49 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $38,680$18.59 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Alabama
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Alabama · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Alabama CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay was $21,570 a year; by 2025 it reached $34,140, a rise of 58%. That's close to but behind the national decade rise of 64%. The increase has been gradual and consistent year over year, without sharp dips. For someone starting as a CNA in Alabama now, that pattern suggests pay has been moving in the right direction, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Alabama
Pay varies by metro area within Alabama. Decatur leads the state, with CNAs there earning $36,280 a year ($17.44 an hour). Auburn, Opelika, and Birmingham follow close behind, each paying between $35,470 and $35,530 a year. At the other end, Dothan's typical pay is $29,830, a difference of $6,450 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas covered here. As in most states, cities with higher pay tend to carry higher living costs, so a bigger paycheck doesn't always stretch further.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Alabama | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | $36,280 | $17.44 | +6% | 500 |
| 2 | Auburn metro incl. Opelika | $35,530 | $17.08 | +4% | 620 |
| 3 | Birmingham | $35,470 | $17.05 | +4% | 6,380 |
| 4 | Huntsville | $35,210 | $16.93 | +3% | 2,660 |
| 5 | Montgomery | $35,210 | $16.93 | +3% | 1,940 |
| 6 | Daphne | $34,150 | $16.42 | 0% | 860 |
| 7 | Tuscaloosa | $32,860 | $15.80 | -4% | 1,390 |
| 8 | Florence metro incl. Muscle Shoals | $31,940 | $15.36 | -6% | 700 |
| 9 | Anniston metro incl. Oxford | $31,920 | $15.35 | -7% | 660 |
| 10 | Mobile | $30,880 | $14.85 | -10% | 2,100 |
| 11 | Gadsden | $30,440 | $14.64 | -11% | 540 |
| 12 | Dothan | $29,830 | $14.34 | -13% | 930 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Alabama typical pay $34,140
How Alabama compares with nearby states
Alabama pays less than each of its bordering states with available data. Tennessee's typical CNA pay is $37,990, about 11% higher than Alabama's, and Georgia and Florida both run about 10% higher as well. Mississippi is the exception, paying $31,520, roughly 8% below Alabama's rate. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it's worth knowing how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,140 | baseline |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +11% |
| Georgia | $37,680 | +10% |
| Florida | $37,510 | +10% |
| Mississippi | $31,520 | -8% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Alabama a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Alabama earn less than in most states: typical pay is $34,140 a year, 19% below the national figure, ranking 49th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Alabama, about 12 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Alabama's workforce than in most states.
Summary
CNA pay in Alabama currently runs $16.41 an hour, or $34,140 a year, up 58% over the past decade. That's below the national figure, tracking the state's lower cost of living. Anyone considering the role can check Alabama's registry page for certification requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures in Decatur, Birmingham, Huntsville, and elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Alabama?
- A typical CNA in Alabama makes **$16.41 an hour**, or about **$34,140 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay varies by city and employer, ranging roughly from $28,330 to $38,680 a year depending on experience.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Alabama?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in Alabama is **$16.41**. Entry-level positions typically start around $13.62 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $18.59 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Alabama?
- Entry-level CNAs in Alabama typically start around **$13.62 an hour**, or about **$28,330 a year**. Pay rises with experience; the next tier up runs closer to $14.45 an hour, or $30,060 a year.
- Which city in Alabama pays CNAs the most?
- Decatur pays CNAs the most in Alabama, with typical pay of **$36,280 a year** ($17.44 an hour). Auburn, Opelika, and Birmingham also pay above the state's typical rate, each above $35,000 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Alabama higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Alabama runs about **19% below** the national figure of $42,260 a year. Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states for CNA pay, though its lower cost of living helps offset the gap.