CNA Salary

Columbus vs Findlay: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$45,763
$22.00/hr
Findlay, OH
$39,630
$19.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHFindlay, OH
Median Salary$45,763$39,630
Hourly Rate$22.00$19.05
Entry Level (P10)$39,948$33,311
25th Percentile$40,715$35,544
75th Percentile$49,022$43,490
Top Earner (P90)$50,300$46,799
Total Employed10,0208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($45,763) and Findlay ($39,630) certified nursing assistant salaries.ColumbusFindlayMedian Salary$45,763$39,630Entry Level (P10)$39,948$33,311Top Earner (P90)$50,300$46,799US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Findlay is $6,133 (15.48%). Columbus's median is +1.68% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $10,352,Findlay spans $13,488. Findlay has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$39,948
P25$40,715
Median$45,763
P75$49,022
P90 (Top)$50,300
Findlay
P10 (Entry)$33,311
P25$35,544
Median$39,630
P75$43,490
P90 (Top)$46,799

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($47,935 effective) pays 9.71% more than Findlay ($43,693 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $45,763
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $47,935
Findlay
Nominal: $39,630
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $43,693

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,763/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,300)
  • Larger job market (10,020 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,935)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Findlay if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Columbus grew 54.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Findlay over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+54.0%

$27,910 (2019) → $42,970 (2025)

Findlay, OH

+19.8%

$31,050 (2024) → $37,211 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Columbus or Findlay?

Columbus has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $45,763/year, compared to Findlay at $39,630/year — a difference of $6,133 (15.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Findlay?

Columbus certified nursing assistants earn $22.00/hr while Findlay hygienists earn $19.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Findlay as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Findlay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $47,935, Findlay = $43,693), job availability (10,020 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Columbus vs Findlay?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,948 in Columbus and $33,311 in Findlay. The Columbus 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