How Much Does a CNA Make in Georgia in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Georgia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Georgia earns about $18.12 per hour ($37,680 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 11% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour, and Georgia ranks 41st among the 51 states and Washington, D.C. for CNA pay.
Lower pay like this usually tracks lower living costs in the state. Even so, Georgia employs 43,440 certified nursing assistants, so job openings are common across the state.
How much does a CNA make in Georgia?
CNA pay by career stage in Georgia
| Career stage | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,300$14.57 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $35,490$17.06 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,680$18.12 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $42,980$20.66 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $47,310$22.74 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 Georgia
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Georgia · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Georgia's CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $22,060 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $37,680, a 71% rise. Nationally, CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Georgia's growth outpaced the country as a whole.
For someone starting out now, that means pay in this field has been moving in a clear upward direction, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Georgia
Pay varies by metro area within Georgia. Figures below reflect full metro areas, not just city limits. The Gainesville metro area posts the state's highest CNA pay, at $41,390 a year ($19.90 an hour). The Atlanta metro area, which includes Sandy Springs and Roswell, follows at $39,350, and Savannah comes in at $38,450.
At the other end, Valdosta's typical pay is $34,040, a $7,350 gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas listed. As with most local pay differences, higher-cost metro areas tend to pay more to match local living expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Georgia | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gainesville | $41,390 | $19.90 | +10% | 1,050 |
| 2 | Atlanta metro incl. Sandy Springs · Roswell | $39,350 | $18.92 | +4% | 23,260 |
| 3 | Savannah | $38,450 | $18.48 | +2% | 1,710 |
| 4 | Warner Robins | $37,500 | $18.03 | 0% | 380 |
| 5 | Rome | $37,220 | $17.90 | -1% | 890 |
| 6 | Augusta metro incl. Richmond County | $37,140 | $17.86 | -1% | 2,560 |
| 7 | Macon metro incl. Bibb County | $36,540 | $17.57 | -3% | 1,450 |
| 8 | Athens metro incl. Clarke County | $36,330 | $17.47 | -4% | 1,110 |
| 9 | Dalton | $36,110 | $17.36 | -4% | 390 |
| 10 | Brunswick metro incl. St. Simons | $35,940 | $17.28 | -5% | 590 |
| 11 | Albany | $35,260 | $16.95 | -6% | 770 |
| 12 | Columbus | $34,970 | $16.81 | -7% | 1,130 |
| 13 | Valdosta | $34,040 | $16.36 | -10% | 470 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia typical pay $37,680
How Georgia compares with nearby states
Georgia's neighbors post similar figures overall. North Carolina pays slightly more, with a typical CNA salary of $38,460, about 2% above Georgia's figure. Alabama trails at $34,140, about 9% below. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so pay in neighboring states is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $37,680 | baseline |
| North Carolina | $38,460 | +2% |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +1% |
| Florida | $37,510 | 0% |
| South Carolina | $37,220 | -1% |
| Alabama | $34,140 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Georgia a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Georgia earn less than in most states: typical pay is $37,680 a year, 11% below the national figure, ranking 41st of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Georgia, about 8.9 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, Georgia ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 71% over the past decade.
Summary
Georgia's CNA pay now stands at about $18.12 an hour ($37,680 a year), and that figure has climbed 71% over the past decade. For the next step, check Georgia's state registry page for certification requirements, and browse city-level pages for Atlanta, Savannah, or other Georgia metro areas to see how pay compares where you plan to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Georgia?
- A typical CNA in Georgia earns **$18.12 an hour**, or about **$37,680 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level CNAs typically start closer to $30,300 a year, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $47,310.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Georgia?
- CNAs in Georgia typically earn **$18.12 an hour**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Hourly pay ranges from around $14.57 for entry-level positions to upwards of $22.74 for experienced CNAs.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Georgia?
- Entry-level positions in Georgia typically offer around **$14.57 an hour**, or about **$30,300 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). As CNAs gain experience, typical pay moves toward $18.12 an hour, with experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $22.74 an hour.
- Which city in Georgia pays CNAs the most?
- The **Gainesville** metro area pays Georgia's highest CNA wages, with a typical salary of **$41,390** a year ($19.90 an hour), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). The Atlanta metro area follows at $39,350, while Valdosta posts the state's lowest figure at $34,040.
- Is CNA pay in Georgia higher than the national rate?
- No. Georgia's typical CNA pay of **$18.12 an hour** ($37,680 a year) runs about 11% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Georgia ranks 41st among the 51 states and Washington, D.C. for CNA pay.