CNA Salary

Columbus vs Green: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$45,763
$22.00/hr
Green, OH
$39,568
$19.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHGreen, OH
Median Salary$45,763$39,568
Hourly Rate$22.00$19.02
Entry Level (P10)$39,948$32,993
25th Percentile$40,715$35,417
75th Percentile$49,022$44,204
Top Earner (P90)$50,300$48,010
Total Employed10,0204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($45,763) and Green ($39,568) certified nursing assistant salaries.ColumbusGreenMedian Salary$45,763$39,568Entry Level (P10)$39,948$32,993Top Earner (P90)$50,300$48,010US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Green is $6,195 (15.66%). 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,Green spans $15,017. Green 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
Green
P10 (Entry)$32,993
P25$35,417
Median$39,568
P75$44,204
P90 (Top)$48,010

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($47,935 effective) pays 9.88% more than Green ($43,625 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $45,763
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $47,935
Green
Nominal: $39,568
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $43,625

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 Green 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 Green over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+54.0%

$27,910 (2019) → $42,970 (2025)

Green, OH

+19.8%

$31,002 (2024) → $37,153 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Columbus has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $45,763/year, compared to Green at $39,568/year — a difference of $6,195 (15.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Green?

Columbus certified nursing assistants earn $22.00/hr while Green hygienists earn $19.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Green. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $47,935, Green = $43,625), job availability (10,020 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,948 in Columbus and $32,993 in Green. 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