Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oregon: $52,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $52,903/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,562 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($51,496), Portland ($50,350), Bend ($50,080).
In Oregon, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $52,903, which is significantly higher than the national median of $45,007, showcasing a difference of 17.5%. The salary between the highest paying city, Hillsboro at $54,843, and the lowest, Milwaukie at $47,799, reflects a gap of $7,044. This variance is often influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and specific healthcare facility funding. Oregon's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws ensure that CNAs meet certain standards, which may enhance job security and professional credibility. The projected annual growth rate for jobs in this field is 6.50%, indicating a steady demand for CNAs as the healthcare sector continues to expand, particularly in metro areas. In addition to Hillsboro, top projected salary cities include Portland at $53,623, Bend at $53,335, Gresham at $53,216, and Grants Pass at $53,005. Given the total employment of 14,934 CNAs across the state, the job market for this role appears strong, offering promising opportunities for individuals pursuing a career in nursing assistance.
Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $39,713 (lowest entry-level) to $67,111 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon certified nursing assistants earn 17.54% more than the national median (+$7,896/year difference).
Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Oregon range from $46,266 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,980 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,903. The Oregon median is $7,896 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $25.44/hr. Approximately 14,934 certified nursing assistants are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,800
2025 BLS Actual
$49,674
2026 Current Est.
$52,903
2019–2027 Growth
+66.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,516 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,674 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 47.0% from $33,800 (2019) to $49,674 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,541 (66.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukie | $47,799 |
| Klamath Falls | $47,913 |
| The Dalles | $48,202 |
| Newberg | $48,723 |
| Canby | $48,992 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass | $53,005 | 97.76 | $54,220 |
| Hillsboro | $54,843 | 102.6 | $53,453 |
| Gresham | $53,216 | 102.6 | $51,867 |
| Bend | $53,335 | 103.607 | $51,478 |
| Portland | $53,623 | 105.421 | $50,866 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,266 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,903 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,980 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $54,843 |
| 2 | Portland | $53,623 |
| 3 | Bend | $53,335 |
| 4 | Gresham | $53,216 |
| 5 | Grants Pass | $53,005 |
| 6 | Salem | $52,015 |
| 7 | Corvallis | $52,004 |
| 8 | Albany | $51,706 |
| 9 | Beaverton | $51,701 |
| 10 | McMinnville | $51,561 |
| 11 | Oregon City | $51,500 |
| 12 | Eugene | $51,461 |
| 13 | Woodburn | $51,157 |
| 14 | Medford | $51,003 |
| 15 | Lake Oswego | $50,911 |
| 16 | Springfield | $50,796 |
| 17 | Forest Grove | $50,778 |
| 18 | Tigard | $50,564 |
| 19 | Redmond | $50,548 |
| 20 | West Linn | $50,402 |
| 21 | Tualatin | $49,967 |
| 22 | Pendleton | $49,962 |
| 23 | Wilsonville | $49,890 |
| 24 | Happy Valley | $49,462 |
| 25 | Hermiston | $49,324 |
| 26 | Central Point | $49,301 |
| 27 | Ashland | $49,298 |
| 28 | Keizer | $49,285 |
| 29 | Sherwood | $49,282 |
| 30 | Coos Bay | $49,200 |
| 31 | Roseburg | $49,020 |
| 32 | Canby | $48,992 |
| 33 | Newberg | $48,723 |
| 34 | The Dalles | $48,202 |
| 35 | Klamath Falls | $47,913 |
| 36 | Milwaukie | $47,799 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Oregon 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 Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Oregon?
How does Oregon certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Oregon?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon 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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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