Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $42,973 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $42,973/year (≈ $20.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $45,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Cincinnati is projected to be $42,973, reflecting the adjustments in wage expectations following the COVID-19 pandemic and the staffing crisis in healthcare. The salary range indicates that entry-level positions (P10) start at $39,725, while more experienced roles (P90) can earn up to $50,247, providing a promising landscape for potential CNAs entering the workforce. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. While this figure is about 4.52% lower than the national median of $45,007, Cincinnati's competitive job market continues to create viable opportunities for certified nursing assistants, especially as the industry adapts to new staffing needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,725 | $19.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,790 | $19.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,973 | $20.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,234 | $23.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,247 | $24.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,522 (2026 est.). At $42,973, the local median is 4.52% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cincinnati Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $42,973/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $41,681 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -4.52% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $42,973 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.10% above the Ohio state average of $41,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,973 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,760
2025 BLS Actual
$40,350
2026 Current Est.
$42,973
2019–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,973 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.2% from $30,760 (2019) to $40,350 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,006 (48.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $39,725 – $40,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,790 – $42,973 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,973 – $48,234 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,234 – $50,247 |
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 Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s job market for certified nursing assistants is robust, with approximately 11,390 professionals employed in this sector. The cost of living in the city, with an index of 95.37, implies that CNAs can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Overall compensation may vary significantly, depending on the type of employer—skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies and assisted living communities. Factors contributing to wage disparities include shift differentials, where night shifts can yield an additional $2-4 per hour, weekend work may add $1-3, and the option for agency positions during staffing shortages, which often come with premium pay. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Cincinnati, pursuing additional certifications, such as CMA, could lead to increased salary opportunities, while exploring weekend-only roles or facilities with higher acuity levels can also boost earnings considerably.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 $40,350 for certified nursing assistantsin the Cincinnati 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, 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