Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oklahoma: $38,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $38,902/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,759 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Broken Arrow ($38,411), Norman ($38,077), Moore ($37,567).
In 2026, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma is projected to be $38,902, which is significantly lower than the national median of $45,007, creating a salary gap of 13.6%. The highest-paying city for this role is Broken Arrow at $40,908, while Enid offers the lowest salary at $36,476, resulting in a difference of $4,432 between the two. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the availability of jobs in specific regions. Oklahoma has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that certified nursing assistants must adhere to, which impact job responsibilities and opportunities in the field. With a total employment of 12,528 certified nursing assistants, the job market in Oklahoma is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.50%, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. Cities like Norman, Moore, Midwest City, and Yukon also show competitive salaries, ranging from $39,517 to $40,552, reflecting local healthcare needs and job openings that can drive compensation levels in different metropolitan areas.
Oklahoma Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $30,031 (lowest entry-level) to $53,165 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma certified nursing assistants earn 13.56% less than the national median ($-6,105/year difference).
Oklahoma Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Oklahoma range from $33,613 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $46,437 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $38,902. The Oklahoma median is $6,105 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $18.70/hr. Approximately 12,528 certified nursing assistants are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,951
2025 BLS Actual
$36,528
2026 Current Est.
$38,902
2019–2027 Growth
+59.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,951 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,871 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,575 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,431 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.8% from $25,951 (2019) to $36,528 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,431 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,480 (59.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Enid | $36,476 |
| Sand Springs | $36,776 |
| Ponca City | $37,173 |
| Durant | $37,458 |
| Lawton | $37,477 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Arrow | $40,908 | 88.9 | $46,016 |
| Norman | $40,552 | 88.9 | $45,615 |
| Moore | $40,009 | 88.9 | $45,004 |
| Midwest City | $39,652 | 88.9 | $44,603 |
| Yukon | $39,517 | 88.9 | $44,451 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,613 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $38,902 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $46,437 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broken Arrow | $40,908 |
| 2 | Norman | $40,552 |
| 3 | Moore | $40,009 |
| 4 | Midwest City | $39,652 |
| 5 | Yukon | $39,517 |
| 6 | Bartlesville | $39,253 |
| 7 | Tulsa | $39,107 |
| 8 | Owasso | $39,005 |
| 9 | Muskogee | $38,964 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City | $38,936 |
| 11 | Stillwater | $38,921 |
| 12 | Shawnee | $38,883 |
| 13 | Edmond | $38,620 |
| 14 | Tahlequah | $38,409 |
| 15 | Bixby | $38,350 |
| 16 | Jenks | $38,205 |
| 17 | Claremore | $38,124 |
| 18 | Altus | $37,934 |
| 19 | Ardmore | $37,865 |
| 20 | Bethany | $37,865 |
| 21 | Sapulpa | $37,735 |
| 22 | Del City | $37,621 |
| 23 | Lawton | $37,477 |
| 24 | Durant | $37,458 |
| 25 | Ponca City | $37,173 |
| 26 | Sand Springs | $36,776 |
| 27 | Enid | $36,476 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Oklahoma cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Oklahoma?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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