Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $25.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Portland, OR runs $25.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,623 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,178 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly pay of $25.78, significantly higher than the national median of $21.64. This robust hourly rate is particularly appealing for part-time workers and per-diem CNAs, who often find themselves in environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, homes, and hospice settings. With an hourly range from $22.52 for entry-level positions to $31.32 for seasoned professionals, certified nursing assistants can tailor their work schedules to fit their lifestyles, whether that's a steady three days a week or flexible per-diem shifts. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting both the local demand for quality patient care and the competitive atmosphere in Portland’s healthcare sector.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.52 | $180.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.39 | $195.11 |
| Median (P50) | $25.78 | $206.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.37 | $242.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.32 | $250.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $25.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.78/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $53,630 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,940. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.35 | $4,469 | $53,630 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.81 | $2,681 | $32,178 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.54 | $1,788 | $21,452 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Portland) | $25.78 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $53,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.14% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.10% above the Oregon state average of $52,010.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.78/hr = $32,178/year (purchasing power: $30,523).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,630/year (purchasing power: $50,872).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Portland grew 48.1% from $16.35/hr (2019) to $24.21/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.46/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Portland
Part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours a week can realistically expect to earn around $30,041 annually, a figure that illustrates the balance between working fewer hours and receiving competitive pay. The reality for per-diem, agency, or locum CNAs often involves higher billing rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend-only contracts sometimes yielding premiums between $30 and $45 per hour in periods of high demand. The hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the type of employer, with hospitals and rehabilitation centers often offering different compensation structures compared to home health agencies or assisted living communities. However, this can come with trade-offs; while some CNAs opt for positions with slightly lower pay but include valuable benefits like health insurance, others may choose higher hourly rates without those perks. When negotiating wages, it's beneficial for employees to research local market rates and consider factors like shift differentials and potential career advancement through CNA-to-LPN or RN bridge programs.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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