CNA Salary

Fort Wayne vs Hobart: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Hobart, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$39,629
$19.05/hr
Hobart, IN
$38,819
$18.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INHobart, IN
Median Salary$39,629$38,819
Hourly Rate$19.05$18.66
Entry Level (P10)$37,690$33,086
25th Percentile$38,787$34,413
75th Percentile$46,604$43,045
Top Earner (P90)$49,906$46,571
Total Employed3,6107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($39,629) and Hobart ($38,819) certified nursing assistant salaries.Fort WayneHobartMedian Salary$39,629$38,819Entry Level (P10)$37,690$33,086Top Earner (P90)$49,906$46,571US Median $45,007

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hobart.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Hobart is $810 (2.09%). Fort Wayne's median is -11.95% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $12,216,Hobart spans $13,485. Hobart has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$37,690
P25$38,787
Median$39,629
P75$46,604
P90 (Top)$49,906
Hobart
P10 (Entry)$33,086
P25$34,413
Median$38,819
P75$43,045
P90 (Top)$46,571

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($42,809 effective) pays 0.68% more than Hobart ($42,518 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $39,629
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $42,809
Hobart
Nominal: $38,819
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $42,518

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,629/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,906)
  • Larger job market (3,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,809)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Hobart if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Fort Wayne grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Hobart over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+31.3%

$28,330 (2019) → $37,210 (2025)

Hobart, IN

+22.3%

$29,811 (2024) → $36,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Fort Wayne or Hobart?

Fort Wayne has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,629/year, compared to Hobart at $38,819/year — a difference of $810 (2.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Hobart?

Fort Wayne certified nursing assistants earn $19.05/hr while Hobart hygienists earn $18.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Hobart as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Hobart. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $42,809, Hobart = $42,518), job availability (3,610 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Fort Wayne vs Hobart?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,690 in Fort Wayne and $33,086 in Hobart. The Fort Wayne 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