CNA Salary

Cincinnati vs Sandusky: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Sandusky, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$42,973
$20.66/hr
Sandusky, OH
$40,374
$19.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHSandusky, OH
Median Salary$42,973$40,374
Hourly Rate$20.66$19.40
Entry Level (P10)$39,725$34,176
25th Percentile$40,790$38,500
75th Percentile$48,234$46,562
Top Earner (P90)$50,247$47,829
Total Employed11,390560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($42,973) and Sandusky ($40,374) certified nursing assistant salaries.CincinnatiSanduskyMedian Salary$42,973$40,374Entry Level (P10)$39,725$34,176Top Earner (P90)$50,247$47,829US Median $45,007

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sandusky.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Sandusky is $2,599 (6.44%). Cincinnati's median is -4.52% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $10,522,Sandusky spans $13,653. Sandusky has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$39,725
P25$40,790
Median$42,973
P75$48,234
P90 (Top)$50,247
Sandusky
P10 (Entry)$34,176
P25$38,500
Median$40,374
P75$46,562
P90 (Top)$47,829

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandusky ($45,221 effective) pays 0.36% more than Cincinnati ($45,059 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $42,973
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $45,059
Sandusky
Nominal: $40,374
CoL Index: 89.281
Adjusted: $45,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,973/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,247)
  • Larger job market (11,390 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Sandusky if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,221)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Cincinnati grew 31.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in Sandusky over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$30,760 (2019) → $40,350 (2025)

Sandusky, OH

+1.7%

$37,290 (2024) → $37,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Cincinnati or Sandusky?

Cincinnati has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,973/year, compared to Sandusky at $40,374/year — a difference of $2,599 (6.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Sandusky?

Cincinnati certified nursing assistants earn $20.66/hr while Sandusky hygienists earn $19.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Sandusky as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Sandusky. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $45,059, Sandusky = $45,221), job availability (11,390 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Cincinnati vs Sandusky?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,725 in Cincinnati and $34,176 in Sandusky. The Cincinnati 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