Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Ellicott City, MD: $49,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Ellicott City, MD earns a median $49,403/year (≈ $23.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Ellicott City's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $45,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Ellicott City, MD, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,403, placing them ahead of the national median of $45,007 by approximately 9.77%. The salary range for these professionals spans from $39,023 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $58,573 at the upper end (90th percentile), reflecting a robust pay structure for CNAs in the region. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate a notable adjustment in compensation following the post-COVID wage reset, providing a new standard for the job market in Ellicott City, especially as workforce demands continue to evolve.
About the Ellicott City Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($39,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,023 | $18.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,697 | $20.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,403 | $23.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,104 | $26.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,573 | $28.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellicott City
In Ellicott City, MD, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,550 (2026 est.). At $49,403, the local median is 9.77% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Ellicott City: You'd be above the median
How Ellicott City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Ellicott City median: $49,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellicott City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $49,206 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +9.77% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $49,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $49,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellicott City has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellicott City, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,199 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,557
2025 BLS Actual
$46,388
2026 Current Est.
$49,403
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ellicott City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,863 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellicott City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,557 (2019) to $46,388 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,057 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellicott City 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) | $39,023 – $42,697 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,697 – $49,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,403 – $54,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,104 – $58,573 |
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 Ellicott City
With only 15 certified nursing assistants currently employed in the area, the local job market exhibits both opportunities and constraints. The cost-of-living index of 109.3 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the most competitive salaries, with potential for additional earnings through shift differentials—often between $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends. Those aiming to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Ellicott City should also consider roles in home health agencies or hospice care, which may offer premium wages during staffing shortages. Furthermore, pursuing CMA certification or specializations can enhance earning potential, aiding career progression towards LPN or RN roles in a landscape that has seen nursing facility wages rise significantly in recent years.
More salary data for Ellicott City, MD:
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 $46,388 for certified nursing assistantsin the Ellicott City 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
Salary data for Ellicott City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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