Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lawton, OK: $37,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lawton, OK earns a median $37,477/year (≈ $18.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lawton's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $43,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Lawton, OK, is projected to reach $37,477 annually, reflecting a significant response to the post-COVID wage reset. This figure indicates how the employment landscape has adjusted, following a period where wages skyrocketed by 20-40% nationally due to the staffing shortages in the healthcare sector. The salary range varies significantly, from a low of $31,386 at the 10th percentile to as high as $53,165 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data and signal that Lawton's job market is situated on a new wage floor as employers compete to attract qualified personnel in a tightening labor market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,386 | $15.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,229 | $16.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,477 | $18.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,442 | $21.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,165 | $25.56 |
Median Salary Position
16.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawton
In Lawton, OK, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,779 (2026 est.). At $37,477, the local median is 16.73% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawton Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lawton median: $37,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $39,997 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.73% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lawton, OK earn a median of $37,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.73% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.30% below the Oklahoma state average of $39,997.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawton has a cost of living 14.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawton, OK has a cost-of-living index of 85.941 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,477 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.36% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,060
2025 BLS Actual
$35,190
2026 Current Est.
$37,477
2019–2027 Growth
+73.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lawton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawton metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 52.6% from $23,060 (2019) to $35,190 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,853 (73.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawton 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) | $31,386 – $34,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,229 – $37,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,477 – $44,442 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,442 – $53,165 |
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 Lawton
The local job market remains robust, with approximately 490 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Lawton. Given the cost of living index at 85.941, take-home purchasing power tends to be favorable, allowing CNAs to manage their expenses effectively. Employers that typically offer higher pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly those with critical care units or ICUs. The variability in wages largely stems from factors such as shift differentials—nights generally pay an additional $2-4 per hour, while weekends can see premiums of $1-3. Supplemental income opportunities exist, including agency pay during staffing crises and certifications that can lead to higher wages, especially in specific roles or facilities with greater patient acuity. Certified nursing assistants in Lawton can maximize their earnings by considering evening shifts, exploring agency work, and pursuing pathways toward LPN or RN credentials, which can significantly enhance their career and pay trajectory.
More salary data for Lawton, OK:
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 $35,190 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lawton 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