Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbus, IN: $40,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Columbus, IN earns a median $40,747/year (≈ $19.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $43,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The landscape for certified nursing assistant pay in Columbus, IN, has adjusted significantly since the pandemic, with the 2026 median salary sitting at $40,747. This figure reflects the broader post-COVID wage reset, alongside a salary range that spans from $39,245 at the 10th percentile to $49,171 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate how local wages remain somewhat below the national median of $45,007. This adjustment highlights a market still finding its footing but also indicates opportunities for growth within a sector that faced considerable challenges during the pandemic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,245 | $18.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,747 | $19.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,171 | $23.64 |
Median Salary Position
9.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, IN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,926 (2026 est.). At $40,747, the local median is 9.47% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Columbus Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $40,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $40,424 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -9.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus, IN earn a median of $40,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% above the Indiana state average of $40,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 7.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.003 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,813 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,460
2025 BLS Actual
$38,260
2026 Current Est.
$40,747
2019–2027 Growth
+47.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,375 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 29.9% from $29,460 (2019) to $38,260 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,935 (47.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,245 – $39,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,650 – $40,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,747 – $43,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,090 – $49,171 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Columbus
In Columbus, approximately 230 certified nursing assistants are actively employed, painting a picture of a robust local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 93.003, wages for CNAs, while slightly lower than the national average, still offer competitive purchasing power when adjusted for local expenses. Facilities that tend to pay higher wages typically include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, especially in critical care areas. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include shift differentials, with night shifts sometimes earning $2-4 more per hour, and agency pay premiums during staffing shortages. For CNAs looking to maximize their earnings, considering roles with weekend-only premiums or opportunities for advancement, such as bridging to LPN or RN positions, could be advantageous in enhancing their financial outlook in this evolving market.
More salary data for Columbus, IN:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $38,260 for certified nursing assistantsin the Columbus metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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