Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bend, OR: $53,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bend, OR earns a median $53,335/year (≈ $25.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $51,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants has reached $53,335 in 2026, marking a substantial recovery in the wage floor after the post-COVID reset. This figure represents a competitive edge, particularly in comparison to the national median of $45,007, giving Bend's workforce an 18.50% advantage. Salaries for certified nursing assistants in the area range from $48,394 at the lower 10th percentile to $62,526 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied earning potential based on experience and workplace settings. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflecting the current economic landscape of healthcare employment in Bend.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,394 | $23.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,153 | $25.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,335 | $25.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,568 | $29.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,526 | $30.06 |
Median Salary Position
18.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,132 (2026 est.). At $53,335, the local median is 18.5% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bend Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bend median: $53,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,034 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +18.50% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bend, OR earn a median of $53,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.50% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.50% above the Oregon state average of $52,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,335 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,478 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,370
2025 BLS Actual
$50,080
2026 Current Est.
$53,335
2019–2027 Growth
+81.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,802 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 59.6% from $31,370 (2019) to $50,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,802 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,432 (81.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $48,394 – $52,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,153 – $53,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,335 – $61,568 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,568 – $62,526 |
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 Bend
With approximately 620 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Bend, the job market is robust yet also met with challenges such as a cost-of-living index of 103.607, which suggests that expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality impacts the take-home purchasing power of CNAs in the region. Facilities that typically offer higher wages include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, especially those providing medical and surgical care or critical care services. Factors driving the salary spread range from shift differentials—where nights garner an additional $2-4/hr and weekends $1-3—to agency premiums during staffing shortages and bonuses for weekend-only roles. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing CMA certification, being flexible with shifts, and considering positions in higher-acuity environments can prove beneficial strategies in navigating the Bend OR certified nursing assistant pay landscape.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 $50,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bend 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