CNA Salary

Baltimore vs Catonsville: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Baltimore, MD and Catonsville, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$45,550
$21.90/hr
Catonsville, MD
$46,967
$22.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDCatonsville, MD
Median Salary$45,550$46,967
Hourly Rate$21.90$22.58
Entry Level (P10)$37,467$39,782
25th Percentile$40,704$42,350
75th Percentile$47,914$52,842
Top Earner (P90)$51,056$55,704
Total Employed13,58010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($45,550) and Catonsville ($46,967) certified nursing assistant salaries.BaltimoreCatonsvilleMedian Salary$45,550$46,967Entry Level (P10)$37,467$39,782Top Earner (P90)$51,056$55,704US Median $45,007

Verdict

Catonsville, MD offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Catonsville is $1,417 (3.11%). Catonsville's median is +4.35% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $13,589,Catonsville spans $15,922. Catonsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$37,467
P25$40,704
Median$45,550
P75$47,914
P90 (Top)$51,056
Catonsville
P10 (Entry)$39,782
P25$42,350
Median$46,967
P75$52,842
P90 (Top)$55,704

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($43,594 effective) pays 1.45% more than Catonsville ($42,971 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $45,550
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $43,594
Catonsville
Nominal: $46,967
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $42,971

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (13,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,594)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Catonsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,967/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,704)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Baltimore grew 37.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.4% growth in Catonsville over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+37.8%

$31,040 (2019) → $42,770 (2025)

Catonsville, MD

+8.4%

$40,698 (2024) → $44,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Baltimore or Catonsville?

Catonsville has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $46,967/year, compared to Baltimore at $45,550/year — a difference of $1,417 (3.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Catonsville?

Baltimore certified nursing assistants earn $21.90/hr while Catonsville hygienists earn $22.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Catonsville as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Catonsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $43,594, Catonsville = $42,971), job availability (13,580 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Baltimore vs Catonsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,467 in Baltimore and $39,782 in Catonsville. The Catonsville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov