Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Garland, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Garland Stands

As a local, I can tell you straight up: Garland isn't the place to chase top-dollar nursing assistant salaries in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. But it’s a solid, stable market for entry-level and experienced CNAs who prioritize affordability and a manageable commute. The median salary here is $36,114/year, which breaks down to $17.36/hour. To put that in perspective, the national average for CNAs is $35,760/year, so Garland pays right in line with the national picture—slightly above, but not by much. The metro area has 487 jobs for CNAs, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 4%, which is steady but not explosive. This tells me the demand is consistent, largely driven by an aging population and the steady healthcare infrastructure in Dallas County.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in this market. Keep in mind these are estimates based on local job postings and industry insiders; your actual pay will depend on the specific employer, shift differentials, and your certifications.

Experience Level	Typical Annual Salary	Typical Hourly Rate	Notes for Garland
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$30,000 - $34,000	$14.42 - $16.35	Common at long-term care facilities and some hospital systems. Often starts with base pay plus a small shift differential for evenings/nights.
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	$36,000 - $40,000	$17.31 - $19.23	This is near the Garland median. You'll see this range at major hospitals (Baylor Scott & White, Medical City) and larger skilled nursing facilities.
Senior-Level (5-10 years)	$41,000 - $45,000	$19.71 - $21.63	Often requires specialized certifications (like phlebotomy or EKG tech) or a lead CNA role. Found in acute care settings or with agency work.
Expert/Lead (10+ years)	$46,000+	$22.12+	Typically involves supervisory duties, training, or niche specialties like hospice or dialysis. These roles are competitive and often at larger healthcare systems.

Insider Tip: The biggest salary lever in this region is the shift differential. Working evenings, nights, or weekends can add $1.50 to $3.00 per hour to your base pay. In Garland, with major employers like Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Garland and Medical City Garland, these differentials are standard and can significantly boost your annual earnings.

When you compare Garland to other major Texas cities, the picture becomes clearer. Dallas and Fort Worth offer higher median salaries (often $38,000 - $42,000), but the cost of living, especially rent, is substantially higher. Austin and Houston also trend higher in pay but have a much higher cost of living index. Garland, with its cost of living index of 103.3 (just 3.3% above the national average of 100), provides a balanced equation. You trade a slightly lower salary for significantly lower housing and transportation costs compared to the city centers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. With a median salary of $36,114/year, your monthly take-home pay after federal taxes, Social Security, and Medicare will be approximately $2,250 - $2,400 (this is an estimate; use a TX paycheck calculator for your exact situation). Garland’s average 1BR rent is $1,291/month. Let’s build a practical monthly budget for a CNA earning the median wage.

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes & Local Context
Take-Home Pay	$2,350	Based on a $36,114 annual salary (median).
Rent (1BR)	$1,291	Average for Garland. You can find options in the $1,100 - $1,400 range depending on the neighborhood.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)	$150 - $200	Texas summers are hot; expect higher A/C costs. Garland’s mild winters help keep heating bills lower.
Car Payment & Insurance	$300 - $500	Garland is a car-dependent suburb. Insurance rates are moderate compared to Dallas proper.
Gas & Maintenance	$150 - $200	Commuting to major employers (like Baylor Garland) is usually under 20 minutes from most neighborhoods.
Groceries & Household	$250 - $350	Local stores like Tom Thumb, Kroger, and Walmart are plentiful.
Healthcare (Insurance Premiums)	$100 - $200	Employer-sponsored plans vary.
Miscellaneous (Phone, Personal)	$100 - $150
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,341 - $2,891
Remaining for Savings/Debt	(-$541) to $9	This is the critical insight. On a median salary, a single person in a median 1BR apartment has very little margin.

Can they afford to buy a home? On a $36,114 salary, qualifying for a mortgage on a median-priced Garland home (currently around $300,000 - $350,000) is a significant challenge. Lenders typically want your total monthly housing payment (including taxes, insurance, HOA) to be under 28-30% of your gross monthly income. For your salary, that’s about $900/month. A $300,000 home with a 3.5% down payment (FHA loan) would have a monthly payment closer to $2,000 - $2,200. This is likely out of reach on a single CNA income. Homeownership typically requires a dual-income household or significant savings for a larger down payment.

Insider Tip: To make the numbers work, many CNAs in Garland share housing with a roommate, which can cut the rent burden to $650 - $750/month, freeing up $500+ for savings or debt reduction.

Where the Jobs Are: Garland's Major Employers

Garland’s healthcare job market is anchored by a mix of large hospital systems and long-term care facilities. Here are the key players and what you need to know about their hiring trends:

1. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Garland: A 48-bed acute care hospital. They handle a wide range of services, including emergency care, surgery, and cardiology. Hiring Trend: They frequently post for CNAs, especially for med-surg and rehab units. They offer strong benefits and opportunities for advancement into patient care tech roles with additional training.
2. Medical City Garland: Part of HCA Healthcare, this is a larger, 260-bed hospital with a Level II Trauma Center. It has a robust heart, vascular, and neuroscience program. Hiring Trend: Constant need for CNAs in high-volume departments like the ER, ICU, and orthopedics. They have a structured career ladder and often promote from within.
3. Avalon Memory Care - Garland: A specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility. Hiring Trend: They value experience with memory care. While smaller than hospitals, they offer a close-knit environment and consistent hours. Hiring is steady but less frequent than major hospitals.
4. The Enclave at Sunnyvale (Sunnyvale, adjacent to Garland): A large skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. Hiring Trend: High turnover is common in SNFs, meaning they often have openings. It’s a classic starting point for new CNAs to gain experience in long-term care.
5. Presbyterian Village North (Dallas, but a major employer for Garland residents): A senior living community with a continuum of care. Hiring Trend: They hire CNAs for their assisted living and skilled nursing sections. It’s known for good employee retention and a stable environment.
6. Addus HomeCare: A home health agency that serves Garland and surrounding areas. Hiring Trend: Home health is a growing field. They offer flexible schedules and the chance to work one-on-one with patients in their homes. However, pay can be variable and mileage reimbursement is key.
7. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (Dallas, but commutable): While not in Garland, it’s a top-tier employer just 15-20 minutes away for many residents. Hiring Trend: Highly competitive. They often require prior hospital experience and offer premium pay and benefits.

Insider Tip: The "big two" hospitals (Baylor Garland and Medical City Garland) are your best bet for starting a hospital career. Apply directly on their career portals. For SNFs and long-term care, use local job boards like Indeed and filter for "Garland, TX." Many facilities hire on the spot for weekend or night shifts.

Getting Licensed in TX

To work as a CNA in Texas, you must be listed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. Texas doesn’t require a state-specific exam; instead, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass a competency evaluation.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Complete a State-Approved Training Program: These are offered by community colleges (like Dallas College), vocational schools, and private training centers in Garland and the DFW area. Programs typically include 100 hours of instruction (classroom and clinical).

   • Cost: $600 - $1,200. Some employers, especially SNFs, offer free training in exchange for a work commitment (e.g., 6-12 months).
   • Timeline: Full-time programs can be completed in 4-6 weeks. Part-time programs may take 8-12 weeks.

2. Pass the Competency Evaluation: After completing your training, you must pass a two-part exam administered by Headmaster (the designated vendor for Texas). This includes a written/oral test and a skills test.

   • Cost: Approximately $125 - $150 for the exam.
   • Timeline: You can schedule your exam as soon as you complete your training. Results are often available within 1-2 weeks.

3. Apply for Registry Listing: Once you pass both parts of the exam, your training program or Headmaster will submit your information to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to be added to the registry.

   • Cost: No additional state fee.

4. Get Your Certificate: You will receive your CNA certificate from the registry. This is a lifetime listing as long as you work for pay for at least 8 hours for compensation in a nursing-related role every 24 months.

Total Estimated Time to Get Started: 6-10 weeks from the first day of training to being listed on the registry.
Total Estimated Cost: $725 - $1,350 (unless you find an employer-sponsored program).

Insider Tip: Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College District) offers CNA programs at multiple campuses, including one in Mesquite, which is very close to Garland. Their programs are affordable and well-regarded by local employers.

Best Neighborhoods for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s

Living in Garland offers a range of neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and price point. Your choice will depend on your commute, budget, and lifestyle.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Description	Estimated 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Employers
Downtown Garland	The revitalized heart of the city. Walkable to restaurants, shops, and the Garland Performing Arts. Older, charming apartments and some new builds. Great for those who want a sense of community.	$1,100 - $1,350	5-15 mins to Medical City Garland; 10-20 mins to Baylor Garland.
Lake Ray Hubbard (East Garland)	Scenic, with lake views and access to parks. More suburban, with a mix of apartments and single-family homes. Quieter, family-friendly.	$1,200 - $1,500	10-25 mins to most employers. Can be farther from downtown but offers a peaceful setting.
North Garland (near Firewheel)	A mix of older, established neighborhoods and newer developments. Close to the Firewheel Town Center for shopping. Good value for the area.	$1,150 - $1,400	10-20 mins to hospitals; easy access to George Bush Turnpike for commuting.
South Garland (near I-30)	More affordable, with a diverse range of apartments. Closer to Dallas and other suburbs. Can be busier with more traffic.	$1,000 - $1,250	10-25 mins to hospitals; 20-30 mins to Dallas hospitals.
Spring Creek (East of Lake Ray Hubbard)	A newer, master-planned community with parks and trails. More expensive, with newer apartment complexes. Best for those seeking a modern, suburban feel.	$1,300 - $1,600	15-30 mins to employers. A longer commute but a high quality of life.

Insider Tip: If you work at Medical City Garland or Baylor Garland, the Downtown Garland and North Garland areas offer the shortest and most direct commutes, minimizing your time on I-635 or I-30 during rush hour.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 4% 10-year job growth indicates stability, not rapid expansion. To advance your career and income, you need to specialize or move into leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: CNAs with additional certifications can command $1.00 - $3.00 more per hour.

  • Phlebotomy or EKG Technician: Many local hospitals offer in-house training to become a Patient Care Technician (PCT), which includes these skills.
  • Dialysis Technician: Requires specific training (often provided by employers like DaVita or Fresenius) and pays a premium.
  • Hospice/Palliative Care: This requires emotional resilience but offers a different, more intimate care model and often higher pay due to the specialized nature.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. CNA → Patient Care Technician (PCT): The most common path. Gain 1-2 years of hospital experience, then apply for PCT roles that require phlebotomy/EKG certification (often provided by the hospital).
  2. CNA → Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): This is a major step up. You’d need to complete an LVN program (12-18 months) and pass the NCLEX-PN. Garland has several LVN programs (e.g., at Concorde Career College). The salary jump is significant ($45,000 - $60,000+ in DFW).
  3. CNA → Supervisor/Charge Aide: In SNFs or large hospital units, experienced CNAs can move into lead roles, training new aides and managing assignments. Pay increase is modest ($1-$2/hour more) but adds leadership experience.

• 10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain steady due to an aging population. However, automation and technology (like electronic charting and patient lifts) are changing the role. CNAs who adapt to technology and pursue further education (LVN, RN) will have the most opportunities and highest earnings. The path to LVN is the most realistic and rewarding jump for most CNAs in this area.

The Verdict: Is Garland Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living: Your salary goes further here than in Dallas, Austin, or Houston.	Lower Median Salary: You'll earn less than in major city centers.
Stable Job Market: 487 jobs and 4% growth mean reliable opportunities.	Car Dependency: You need a reliable vehicle; public transit is limited.
Manageable Commutes: Most healthcare jobs are within a 15-25 minute drive.	Limited Nightlife/Urban Culture: It's a suburb; for big-city amenities, you'll drive to Dallas.
Diverse Neighborhoods: You can find a vibe that fits you, from urban (Downtown) to lakefront.	Budget is Tight: On a median salary, you'll need to budget carefully, especially if single.
Pathway to Advancement: Clear steps to PCT or LVN roles, especially in local hospitals.	Competitive Entry-Level Market: New grads compete with experienced CNAs for hospital jobs.

Final Recommendation: Garland is an excellent choice for a CNA who values stability, affordability, and a shorter commute. It’s ideal for someone starting their career who wants to gain experience in a hospital setting without the high cost and stress of city living. It’s also a great fit for those who plan to pursue further education (like an LVN) while working, as the lower rent allows for more savings. If you’re a single person on a tight budget, you’ll need a roommate or a higher-than-median salary to build savings. If you’re part of a dual-income household, Garland offers a fantastic quality of life for