CNA Salary

Cincinnati vs Shaker Heights: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$42,973
$20.66/hr
Shaker Heights, OH
$40,184
$19.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHShaker Heights, OH
Median Salary$42,973$40,184
Hourly Rate$20.66$19.32
Entry Level (P10)$39,725$34,643
25th Percentile$40,790$36,714
75th Percentile$48,234$43,266
Top Earner (P90)$50,247$48,416
Total Employed11,3907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($42,973) and Shaker Heights ($40,184) certified nursing assistant salaries.CincinnatiShaker HeightsMedian Salary$42,973$40,184Entry Level (P10)$39,725$34,643Top Earner (P90)$50,247$48,416US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Shaker Heights is $2,789 (6.94%). 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,Shaker Heights spans $13,773. Shaker Heights 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
Shaker Heights
P10 (Entry)$34,643
P25$36,714
Median$40,184
P75$43,266
P90 (Top)$48,416

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($45,059 effective) pays 1.70% more than Shaker Heights ($44,304 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $42,973
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $45,059
Shaker Heights
Nominal: $40,184
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $44,304

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,059)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Shaker Heights if…

  • 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 19.8% growth in Shaker Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$30,760 (2019) → $40,350 (2025)

Shaker Heights, OH

+19.8%

$31,484 (2024) → $37,731 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Cincinnati or Shaker Heights?

Cincinnati has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,973/year, compared to Shaker Heights at $40,184/year — a difference of $2,789 (6.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Shaker Heights?

Cincinnati certified nursing assistants earn $20.66/hr while Shaker Heights hygienists earn $19.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Shaker Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $45,059, Shaker Heights = $44,304), job availability (11,390 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,725 in Cincinnati and $34,643 in Shaker Heights. 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