How Much Does a CNA Make in Mississippi in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Mississippi, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Mississippi · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Mississippi earns about $15.15 per hour ($31,520 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 25% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, and Mississippi ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Still, the work is common across the state: about 14,200 CNAs are currently employed in Mississippi, providing hands-on care in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings.
How much does a CNA make in Mississippi?
CNA pay by career stage in Mississippi
| Career stage | Mississippi | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $27,050$13.01 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $29,520$14.19 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $31,520$15.15 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $35,200$16.92 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $38,290$18.41 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 Mississippi
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Mississippi · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Mississippi CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay was $20,050 a year; by 2025 it reached $31,520, a 57% rise over ten years. That trails the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same period, but the direction has been consistently upward, including a notable jump between 2021 and 2022. For someone starting out now, pay has been moving up year over year, though nothing about that trend is guaranteed to continue.
CNA salary by city in Mississippi
Pay varies modestly across Mississippi's metro areas. Jackson pays the most, with typical CNA pay of $32,040 a year ($15.41 an hour), followed closely by Gulfport and Biloxi, both at $31,520 a year. Hattiesburg comes in lowest among the state's tracked metros, at $30,440 a year. The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas is about $1,600 a year, a small spread that tracks differences in local cost of living. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Mississippi | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $32,040 | $15.41 | +2% | 3,000 |
| 2 | Gulfport metro incl. Biloxi | $31,520 | $15.16 | 0% | 1,660 |
| 3 | Hattiesburg | $30,440 | $14.64 | -3% | 840 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Mississippi typical pay $31,520
How Mississippi compares with nearby states
Neighboring states generally pay CNAs more than Mississippi does. Tennessee pays the most, at $37,990 a year (about 21% higher), while Arkansas and Alabama both run 8-9% ahead. Louisiana is the exception, paying slightly less, at $30,510 a year, about 3% below Mississippi. Since CNA certification can often transfer or be tested into a neighboring state, these differences are worth knowing for anyone considering where to work.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $31,520 | baseline |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +21% |
| Arkansas | $34,430 | +9% |
| Alabama | $34,140 | +8% |
| Louisiana | $30,510 | -3% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Mississippi a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Mississippi earn less than in most states: typical pay is $31,520 a year, 25% below the national figure, ranking 50th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Mississippi's typical CNA pay now stands at $15.15 an hour ($31,520 a year), and it has risen steadily over the past decade even though it remains below the national figure. Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi offer the highest pay within the state. Anyone pursuing certification should check the Mississippi state registry page for requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Mississippi?
- A typical CNA in Mississippi earns about $15.15 an hour, or $31,520 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is below the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Mississippi?
- CNAs in Mississippi typically earn $15.15 an hour. Entry-level positions typically offer around $13.01 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $18.41 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Mississippi?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Mississippi typically offer around $13.01 an hour, or about $27,050 a year. As CNAs gain experience, typical pay moves up toward the $29,520 to $31,520 range.
- Which city in Mississippi pays CNAs the most?
- Jackson pays CNAs the most in Mississippi, with typical pay of $32,040 a year ($15.41 an hour). Gulfport and Biloxi follow close behind at $31,520 a year, while Hattiesburg has the lowest typical pay among the state's tracked metro areas, at $30,440 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Mississippi higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Mississippi is about 25% below the national rate. Typical pay in the state is $31,520 a year compared with $42,260 nationally, and Mississippi ranks 50th out of 51 states for CNA pay.