How Much Does a CNA Make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Chattanooga, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Chattanooga metro area
A typical CNA in Chattanooga, Tennessee earns $18.65 per hour, or $38,790 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,233 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,060, and the top 10% of earners make over $44,660.
That pay is 2% above the Tennessee figure of $37,990 and 8% below the national figure of $42,260. Chattanooga ranks 2nd of 10 metro areas in Tennessee for CNA pay. About 2,420 CNAs work in the Chattanooga area.
CNA pay in Chattanooga at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.65 an hour, or $38,790 a year.
- That is 2% above the Tennessee figure, ranking 2nd of 10 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,060; the top 10% make over $44,660.
- Typical pay rose +69% from 2015 to 2025, against +70% for Tennessee as a whole.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a CNA make in Chattanooga?
Pay in Chattanooga runs from entry-level positions at around $14.94 an hour to more than $21.47 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
CNA pay by career stage in Chattanooga
| Career stage | Chattanooga | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,060$14.94 an hour | $31,110$14.96 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,590$17.59 an hour | $35,560$17.09 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,790$18.65 an hour | $37,990$18.27 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $41,600$20.00 an hour | $40,880$19.66 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $44,660$21.47 an hour | $44,660$21.47 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Chattanooga area as BLS defines it
CNA pay growth in Chattanooga
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in the Chattanooga area · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, typical CNA pay in Chattanooga was $22,920 a year. By 2025 it had reached $38,790, a change of +69%, compared with +70% for Tennessee over the same years.
How Chattanooga compares with other Tennessee cities
Nashville pays CNAs the most in Tennessee at $39,510 a year, $720 more than Chattanooga. The lowest-paying area in the state is Jackson at $36,900.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chattanooga | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $39,510 | $18.99 | +2% | 7,420 |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $38,790 | $18.65 | this city | 2,420 |
| 3 | Memphis | $38,010 | $18.27 | -2% | 4,930 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $38,000 | $18.27 | -2% | 3,860 |
| 5 | Morristown | $37,620 | $18.09 | -3% | 350 |
| 6 | Kingsport metro incl. Bristol | $37,550 | $18.05 | -3% | 1,400 |
| 7 | Clarksville | $37,320 | $17.94 | -4% | 620 |
| 8 | Johnson City | $37,310 | $17.94 | -4% | 1,390 |
| 9 | Cleveland | $37,130 | $17.85 | -4% | 440 |
| 10 | Jackson | $36,900 | $17.74 | -5% | 1,080 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with CNA wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $37,990
Is Chattanooga a good place to work as a CNA?
CNAs in Chattanooga earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $38,790 a year, 8% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Chattanooga area, about 9.0 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.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Chattanooga, TN?
- A typical CNA in Chattanooga earns $38,790 a year, or $18.65 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $31,060 and the top 10% earn over $44,660.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Chattanooga?
- Typical hourly pay for CNAs in Chattanooga is $18.65. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $14.94, and the top 10% earn over $21.47 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Chattanooga?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Chattanooga typically offer around $14.94 an hour, or $31,060 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Chattanooga higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Chattanooga pay is 2% above the Tennessee figure of $37,990 a year, ranking 2nd of 10 metro areas in the state. Nashville pays the most in Tennessee at $39,510.