Nursing Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Nursing Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $38,790 a year ($18.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,660 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $37,990. There are 9.0 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,460, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,060 | $14.94 |
| 25th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Median | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Average (mean) | $38,460 | $18.49 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,232.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,616.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,491.92 |
| Weekly | $745.96 |
| Hourly | $18.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $41,390 | 1,050 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $39,510 | 7,420 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $39,350 | 23,260 |
| Savannah, GA | $38,450 | 1,710 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,010 | 4,930 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,000 | 3,860 |
| Morristown, TN | $37,620 | 350 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,550 | 1,400 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $37,500 | 380 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,320 | 620 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,310 | 1,390 |
| Rome, GA | $37,220 | 890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,140 | 2,560 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,130 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,900 | 1,080 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $36,540 | 1,450 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $36,330 | 1,110 |
| Dalton, GA | $36,110 | 390 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $35,940 | 590 |
| Albany, GA | $35,260 | 770 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $34,970 | 1,130 |
| Valdosta, GA | $34,040 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Orderly | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,610 | $13.75 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,020 | $14.43 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $38,790 a year, or $18.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $44,660 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,060 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,590 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 2,420 nursing assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.