Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Tulsa, OK: $39,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Tulsa, OK earns a median $39,107/year (≈ $18.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $43,835 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For certified nursing assistants in Tulsa, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is estimated at $39,107. This figure reflects a post-COVID wage reset and positions Tulsa's compensation below the national average of $45,007, highlighting a 13.11% gap. Salary ranges for this profession vary widely, from $33,803 at the 10th percentile to $46,306 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a strong demand for CNAs in the area. As the local healthcare market stabilizes and recovers, there is potential for wage growth in response to ongoing staffing needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,803 | $16.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,107 | $18.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,736 | $19.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,306 | $22.27 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,503 (2026 est.). At $39,107, the local median is 13.11% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulsa Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $39,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $40,027 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -13.11% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $39,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.30% below the Oklahoma state average of $40,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,835 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,730
2025 BLS Actual
$36,720
2026 Current Est.
$39,107
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.7% from $25,730 (2019) to $36,720 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,919 (61.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $33,803 – $37,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,520 – $39,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,107 – $40,736 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,736 – $46,306 |
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 Tulsa
Employment opportunities for certified nursing assistants remain robust in Tulsa, with around 5,420 individuals working in this field. The cost of living index at 89.214 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, thereby enhancing overall purchasing power for workers in the area. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, especially for roles in intensive care units and rehabilitation settings. Variations in pay are influenced by factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts often commanding an additional $2-4 per hour and premiums for weekends ranging from $1-3. To maximize earnings, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing additional certifications like CMA and seek out weekend-only roles, which often include better pay. Transitioning to licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) positions can also enhance long-term salary potential, making the certified nursing assistant pay in Tulsa, OK, a strategic entry point into a rewarding healthcare career.
More salary data for Tulsa, 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 $36,720 for certified nursing assistantsin the Tulsa 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