CNA Salary

Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$42,973
$20.66/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$39,493
$18.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$42,973$39,493
Hourly Rate$20.66$18.99
Entry Level (P10)$39,725$32,936
25th Percentile$40,790$35,261
75th Percentile$48,234$44,064
Top Earner (P90)$50,247$46,283
Total Employed11,3909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($42,973) and Upper Arlington ($39,493) certified nursing assistant salaries.CincinnatiUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$42,973$39,493Entry Level (P10)$39,725$32,936Top Earner (P90)$50,247$46,283US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington is $3,480 (8.81%). 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,Upper Arlington spans $13,347. Upper Arlington 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
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$32,936
P25$35,261
Median$39,493
P75$44,064
P90 (Top)$46,283

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($45,059 effective) pays 3.48% more than Upper Arlington ($43,542 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $42,973
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $45,059
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $39,493
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $43,542

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 Upper Arlington 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 Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$30,760 (2019) → $40,350 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+19.8%

$30,944 (2024) → $37,083 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Cincinnati or Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,973/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $39,493/year — a difference of $3,480 (8.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati certified nursing assistants earn $20.66/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $18.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $45,059, Upper Arlington = $43,542), job availability (11,390 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,725 in Cincinnati and $32,936 in Upper Arlington. 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