CNA Certification Cost in Mississippi 2026: $28K Salary, 2.6-Month Payback
CNA in Mississippi: certified professionals earn $28,252/year at state-adjusted rates. Total cost $1,140. Payback: 2.6 months.
CNA in Mississippi — Key Numbers
$28K
Avg Salary w/ Cert
+$5K
Annual Salary Boost
$1,140
Total Cost
2.6 mo
Payback Period
Salary data: BLS OEWS state estimates 2024. State multiplier: 78% of national average.
CNA Cost Breakdown
Exam fee
$140
Study materials
$1,000
Total upfront cost
$1,140
Salary without cert (Mississippi)
$23,010/yr
Salary with CNA (Mississippi)
$28,252/yr
5-year net ROI
$25K
CNA Job Market in Mississippi
Mississippi CNA wages at $28K ($13.58/hr) are below the national median, reflecting the state's overall healthcare wage index. The payback math still works: $1,100–$1,500 total training cost against a $6,700/year raise over personal care aide wages pays back in 2 months. Employer-sponsored training is particularly common in rural Mississippi facilities that struggle to find credentialed staff. Travel CNA contracts ($25–$35/hr) are an option for Mississippi-certified CNAs willing to take short-term assignments in higher-wage states — common career move for CNAs building experience before nursing school. The NNAAP exam fee in Mississippi is $90–$150.