How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Mississippi
Mississippi employs approximately 14,200 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,520 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.31x 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 Mississippi, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Mississippi
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The licensing authority is the MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Mississippi is $31,520 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,050 and experienced professionals can earn $38,290 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: MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure
- Median wage (Mississippi): $31,520 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Mississippi
The MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Mississippi 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | Student must complete the state-approved nurse aide training program. |
| Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) | Certified Nurse-Midwife (referred to in document as nurse-midwife). 1. Shall currently be licensed as a registered nurse and certified nursemidwife by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. 2. |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): Any person currently licensed to practice as a registered nurse in Mississippi or currently licensed to practice as registered nurse under the Nurse Licensur… |
| Registered Nurse | NURSING PROGRAM GRADUATION: You must have graduated from a nursing program (RN or LPN) which substantially meets the same educational criteria as Mississippi nursing programs. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | The LPN gives nursing care, which does not require the specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge required of a RN, under the direction of the RN, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), licensed p… |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | Initial State Certification. Prior to Board certification allowing the RN to practice as an APRN, the RN must: 1) Be currently licensed as a RN in Mississippi or currently licensed to practice as regi… |
| Audiologists Aide | Audiology aide means an individual who meets minimum qualifications set in these regulations, and who works under the supervision of a licensed audiologist. |
| Speech Language Pathologist Aide | Speech-language pathology aide means an individual who meets minimum qualifications set in these regulations, and who works under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Current employment in field required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 4,930 | $38,010 | $38,520 | $31,660 | $44,540 |
| Jackson | 3,000 | $32,040 | $33,170 | $28,010 | $37,940 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 1,660 | $31,520 | $34,360 | $28,120 | $44,350 |
| Hattiesburg | 840 | $30,440 | $31,690 | $26,870 | $35,570 |
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 Mississippi
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 3,000 | $32,040 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 1,660 | $31,520 |
| Hattiesburg | 840 | $30,440 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 14,200 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 Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Mississippi is $31,520, which is $8,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS State Dept. of Health - Office of Licensure - Licensing Information: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,82.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |