How Much Does a CNA Make in Bristol, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Bristol, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical CNA in Bristol, Tennessee earns $18.05 per hour, or $37,550 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,129 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,100, and the top 10% of earners make over $43,710.
That pay is 1% below the Tennessee figure of $37,990 and 11% below the national figure of $42,260. Bristol ranks 6th of 10 metro areas in Tennessee for CNA pay. About 1,400 CNAs work in the Kingsport · Bristol area. Bristol is part of the Kingsport · Bristol metro area, and BLS reports pay for the metro as a whole, so Kingsport share these figures.
CNA pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.05 an hour, or $37,550 a year.
- That is 1% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 6th of 10 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,100; the top 10% make over $43,710.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a CNA make in Bristol?
Pay in Bristol runs from entry-level positions at around $14.47 an hour to more than $21.02 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
CNA pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,100$14.47 an hour | $31,110$14.96 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,700$17.65 an hour | $35,560$17.09 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,550$18.05 an hour | $37,990$18.27 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $39,640$19.06 an hour | $40,880$19.66 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $43,710$21.02 an hour | $44,660$21.47 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
How Bristol compares with other Tennessee cities
Nashville pays CNAs the most in Tennessee at $39,510 a year, $1,960 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Jackson at $36,900.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $39,510 | $18.99 | +5% | 7,420 |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $38,790 | $18.65 | +3% | 2,420 |
| 3 | Memphis | $38,010 | $18.27 | +1% | 4,930 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $38,000 | $18.27 | +1% | 3,860 |
| 5 | Morristown | $37,620 | $18.09 | 0% | 350 |
| 6 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $37,550 | $18.05 | this city | 1,400 |
| 7 | Clarksville | $37,320 | $17.94 | -1% | 620 |
| 8 | Johnson City | $37,310 | $17.94 | -1% | 1,390 |
| 9 | Cleveland | $37,130 | $17.85 | -1% | 440 |
| 10 | Jackson | $36,900 | $17.74 | -2% | 1,080 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with CNA wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $37,990
Is Bristol a good place to work as a CNA?
CNAs in Bristol earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $37,550 a year, 11% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Kingsport · Bristol area, about 12 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Bristol, TN?
- A typical CNA in Bristol earns $37,550 a year, or $18.05 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $30,100 and the top 10% earn over $43,710.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Bristol?
- Typical hourly pay for CNAs in Bristol is $18.05. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $14.47, and the top 10% earn over $21.02 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Bristol?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Bristol typically offer around $14.47 an hour, or $30,100 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Bristol higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Bristol pay is 1% below the Tennessee figure of $37,990 a year, ranking 6th of 10 metro areas in the state. Nashville pays the most in Tennessee at $39,510.