CNA Salary

Fairmont vs Huntington: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Fairmont, WV and Huntington, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fairmont, WV
$35,896
$17.25/hr
Huntington, WV
$39,554
$19.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFairmont, WVHuntington, WV
Median Salary$35,896$39,554
Hourly Rate$17.25$19.02
Entry Level (P10)$31,722$31,524
25th Percentile$33,132$34,304
75th Percentile$39,179$40,907
Top Earner (P90)$41,727$48,351
Total Employed41,950
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fairmont ($35,896) and Huntington ($39,554) certified nursing assistant salaries.FairmontHuntingtonMedian Salary$35,896$39,554Entry Level (P10)$31,722$31,524Top Earner (P90)$41,727$48,351US Median $45,007

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairmont.

The salary gap between Fairmont and Huntington is $3,658 (10.19%). Huntington's median is -12.12% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fairmont spans $10,005,Huntington spans $16,827. Huntington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Fairmont
P10 (Entry)$31,722
P25$33,132
Median$35,896
P75$39,179
P90 (Top)$41,727
Huntington
P10 (Entry)$31,524
P25$34,304
Median$39,554
P75$40,907
P90 (Top)$48,351

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($44,733 effective) pays 7.80% more than Fairmont ($41,498 effective).

Fairmont
Nominal: $35,896
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $41,498
Huntington
Nominal: $39,554
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $44,733

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fairmont if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,554/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($48,351)
  • Larger job market (1,950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,733)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Fairmont grew 39.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.8% growth in Huntington over the same period.

Fairmont, WV

+39.6%

$24,148 (2024) → $33,705 (2025)

Huntington, WV

+41.8%

$26,200 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Fairmont or Huntington?

Huntington has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,554/year, compared to Fairmont at $35,896/year — a difference of $3,658 (10.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fairmont and Huntington?

Fairmont certified nursing assistants earn $17.25/hr while Huntington hygienists earn $19.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fairmont to Huntington as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fairmont and Huntington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fairmont = $41,498, Huntington = $44,733), job availability (4 vs 1,950 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Fairmont vs Huntington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $31,722 in Fairmont and $31,524 in Huntington. The Fairmont area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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