How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 25,250 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,140 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.28x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Alabama
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The licensing authority is the Alabama Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 21 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Alabama Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Alabama is $34,140 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,330 and experienced professionals can earn $38,680 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Alabama): $34,140 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | All applicants shall: Be at least 21 years old; Be required to demonstrate United States citizenship or legal presence; Hold current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in Alabama; Gradu… |
| Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) | All applicants shall: be required to demonstrate United States citizenship or legal presence; Hold current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Alabama; Hold a master’s degree, or post-mast… |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | All applicants shall: be required to demonstrate United States citizenship or legal presence; Hold current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Alabama; Hold a master’s degree, or post-mast… |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | All applicants shall: be required to demonstrate United States citizenship or legal presence; Be of good moral character; Successfully complete all requirements for graduation from an approved registe… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | All applicants shall: be required to demonstrate United States citizenship or legal presence; Be of good moral character; Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as determined by the Board; Have… |
| Licensed Nursing Home Administrator | A nursing home administrator means any individual responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling the operation of a nursing home, or who in fact performs such functions, whether or no… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 6,380 | $35,470 | $34,940 | $29,800 | $39,110 |
| Huntsville | 2,660 | $35,210 | $33,950 | $28,100 | $39,260 |
| Mobile | 2,100 | $30,880 | $32,820 | $28,940 | $36,790 |
| Montgomery | 1,940 | $35,210 | $34,460 | $29,240 | $39,980 |
| Tuscaloosa | 1,390 | $32,860 | $34,310 | $29,100 | $44,800 |
| Columbus | 1,130 | $34,970 | $34,720 | $29,220 | $41,930 |
| Dothan | 930 | $29,830 | $29,800 | $23,670 | $37,090 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | 860 | $34,150 | $33,860 | $29,400 | $38,910 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 700 | $31,940 | $32,150 | $28,460 | $36,550 |
| Anniston-Oxford | 660 | $31,920 | $32,080 | $26,080 | $38,870 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 620 | $35,530 | $36,640 | $27,860 | $46,400 |
| Gadsden | 540 | $30,440 | $32,280 | $28,890 | $37,490 |
| Decatur | 500 | $36,280 | $35,410 | $29,260 | $43,540 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 6,380 | $35,470 |
| Huntsville | 2,660 | $35,210 |
| Mobile | 2,100 | $30,880 |
| Montgomery | 1,940 | $35,210 |
| Tuscaloosa | 1,390 | $32,860 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 25,250 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Alabama is $34,140, which is $5,390 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.abn.alabama.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |