Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $38,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Oklahoma City, OK earns a median $38,936/year (≈ $18.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Oklahoma City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $43,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $38,936 projected for 2026, certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma City, OK, face salaries that are significantly lower than the national average of $45,007. This discrepancy reflects the reality of employment in various settings, where pay rates vary considerably between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The salary range for this role spans from $33,771 at the 10th percentile to $46,253 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities within the local job market. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights this variance, providing a nuanced perspective on the competitive landscape that can impact CNAs based on their specific employment venues and roles within the healthcare ecosystem in Oklahoma City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,771 | $16.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,488 | $18.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,936 | $18.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,599 | $20.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,253 | $22.24 |
Median Salary Position
13.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, OK, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,482 (2026 est.). At $38,936, the local median is 13.49% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oklahoma City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oklahoma City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Oklahoma City median: $38,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oklahoma City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $40,017 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -13.49% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $38,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.49% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.70% below the Oklahoma state average of $40,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oklahoma City has a cost of living 9.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oklahoma City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 90.408 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,936 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,067 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,260
2025 BLS Actual
$36,560
2026 Current Est.
$38,936
2019–2027 Growth
+57.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.2% from $26,260 (2019) to $36,560 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,207 (57.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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) | $33,771 – $37,488 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,488 – $38,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,936 – $41,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,599 – $46,253 |
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 Oklahoma City
The job market in Oklahoma City employs around 6,150 certified nursing assistants, presenting a stable workforce environment despite the ongoing challenges of post-COVID staffing shortages. The local cost of living index sits at 90.408, which can enhance the purchasing power of CNAs even though their salaries are somewhat below national averages. Facilities such as hospitals may offer higher salaries, driven by various shift differentials, which can add between $1 to $4 per hour for weekends and nights. Additionally, some agencies provide premium pay during high-demand periods or for specialty roles, further influencing earnings. To maximize compensation, CNAs might explore shifts in higher-paying facilities or pursue additional certifications, positioning themselves for potential advancement to LPNs or RNs. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for those considering a career as a nursing assistant in this vibrant Oklahoma City market.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, 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 $36,560 for certified nursing assistantsin the Oklahoma 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
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