CNA Salary

Goshen vs Indianapolis: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Goshen, IN
$40,056
$19.26/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$41,407
$19.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoshen, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$40,056$41,407
Hourly Rate$19.26$19.90
Entry Level (P10)$33,865$38,798
25th Percentile$36,196$39,938
75th Percentile$44,219$47,936
Top Earner (P90)$47,731$50,300
Total Employed69,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goshen ($40,056) and Indianapolis ($41,407) certified nursing assistant salaries.GoshenIndianapolisMedian Salary$40,056$41,407Entry Level (P10)$33,865$38,798Top Earner (P90)$47,731$50,300US Median $45,007

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Goshen.

The salary gap between Goshen and Indianapolis is $1,351 (3.37%). Indianapolis's median is -8.00% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goshen spans $13,866,Indianapolis spans $11,502. Goshen has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Goshen
P10 (Entry)$33,865
P25$36,196
Median$40,056
P75$44,219
P90 (Top)$47,731
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$38,798
P25$39,938
Median$41,407
P75$47,936
P90 (Top)$50,300

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Goshen ($43,873 effective) pays 1.40% more than Indianapolis ($43,269 effective).

Goshen
Nominal: $40,056
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $43,873
Indianapolis
Nominal: $41,407
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $43,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goshen if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,873)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,407/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,300)
  • Larger job market (9,730 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Goshen grew 26.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.7% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Goshen, IN

+26.7%

$29,686 (2024) → $37,611 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+31.7%

$29,530 (2019) → $38,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Goshen or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,407/year, compared to Goshen at $40,056/year — a difference of $1,351 (3.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goshen and Indianapolis?

Goshen certified nursing assistants earn $19.26/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $19.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goshen to Indianapolis as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goshen and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goshen = $43,873, Indianapolis = $43,269), job availability (6 vs 9,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Goshen vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $33,865 in Goshen and $38,798 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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