CNA Salary

Cincinnati vs Youngstown: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$42,973
$20.66/hr
Youngstown, OH
$39,458
$18.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHYoungstown, OH
Median Salary$42,973$39,458
Hourly Rate$20.66$18.97
Entry Level (P10)$39,725$36,455
25th Percentile$40,790$37,893
75th Percentile$48,234$41,855
Top Earner (P90)$50,247$45,987
Total Employed11,3902,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($42,973) and Youngstown ($39,458) certified nursing assistant salaries.CincinnatiYoungstownMedian Salary$42,973$39,458Entry Level (P10)$39,725$36,455Top Earner (P90)$50,247$45,987US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Youngstown is $3,515 (8.91%). 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,Youngstown spans $9,532. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$39,725
P25$40,790
Median$42,973
P75$48,234
P90 (Top)$50,247
Youngstown
P10 (Entry)$36,455
P25$37,893
Median$39,458
P75$41,855
P90 (Top)$45,987

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Youngstown ($45,150 effective) pays 0.20% more than Cincinnati ($45,059 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $42,973
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $45,059
Youngstown
Nominal: $39,458
CoL Index: 87.394
Adjusted: $45,150

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 Youngstown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,150)
  • 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 39.6% growth in Youngstown over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+31.2%

$30,760 (2019) → $40,350 (2025)

Youngstown, OH

+39.6%

$26,540 (2019) → $37,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,973/year, compared to Youngstown at $39,458/year — a difference of $3,515 (8.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Youngstown?

Cincinnati certified nursing assistants earn $20.66/hr while Youngstown hygienists earn $18.97/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Youngstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $45,059, Youngstown = $45,150), job availability (11,390 vs 2,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,725 in Cincinnati and $36,455 in Youngstown. 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