Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Ponca City, OK: $37,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Ponca City, OK earns a median $37,173/year (≈ $17.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Ponca City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $41,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, Oklahoma, the certified nursing assistant salary is projected to reach a median annual income of $37,173 in 2026. This figure reflects a wage reset following the post-COVID staffing crisis, presenting a foundational benchmark for those entering the field. Certified nursing assistants can expect earnings to range from approximately $32,750 at the lower end (P10) to $43,099 at the upper echelons (P90). These local salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price disparities. The job market here, while stable, illustrates the ongoing challenges in attracting healthcare talent as demand for nursing assistants continues to grow.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($31,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,750 | $15.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,237 | $16.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,173 | $17.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,504 | $19.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,099 | $20.72 |
Median Salary Position
17.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponca City
In Ponca City, OK, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,349 (2026 est.). At $37,173, the local median is 17.41% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponca City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ponca City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Ponca City median: $37,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponca City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $40,014 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -17.41% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Ponca City, OK earn a median of $37,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $40,014.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ponca City has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ponca City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,497
2025 BLS Actual
$34,904
2026 Current Est.
$37,173
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,034 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,535 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,551 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,604 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,904 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponca City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,497 (2019) to $34,904 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,092 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponca 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) | $32,750 – $34,237 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,237 – $37,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,173 – $40,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,504 – $43,099 |
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 Ponca City
Turning to the specifics of the local job market, Ponca City only employs four certified nursing assistants, highlighting a tight labor pool. With a cost-of-living index of 88.9, salaries may stretch further here, allowing for a decent quality of life. Employers willing to pay top dollar generally include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, especially those with high-acuity units like ICUs. The salary variability in this region stems from several factors, such as shift differentials—where night shifts can bring in an additional $2-4 per hour—and weekend premiums ranging from $1 to $3. For certified nursing assistants keen on maximizing their earnings, pursuing agency work during staffing shortages or obtaining a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) credential can significantly enhance financial prospects in Ponca City. Moreover, understanding the pay structures and available opportunities will help in navigating this evolving job market effectively.
More salary data for Ponca 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 $34,904 for certified nursing assistantsin the Ponca 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 Ponca 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