Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in The Dalles, OR: $48,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in The Dalles, OR earns a median $48,202/year (≈ $23.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $46,981 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In The Dalles, Oregon, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect a relatively competitive annual salary of $48,202 in 2026, which reflects a significant 7.10% increase over the national median of $45,007. The local salary range for this role is quite broad, spanning from $42,217 at the lower end (P10) to $57,206 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted to reflect the regional cost of living. While skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies dominate employment opportunities, the variance in pay levels is influenced by the structural choices between nursing home settings and hospital environments, pointing to a mixed demand for care in the area.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,217 | $20.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,252 | $21.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,202 | $23.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,446 | $25.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,206 | $27.50 |
Median Salary Position
7.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,989 (2026 est.). At $48,202, the local median is 7.1% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $48,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $51,998 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.10% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $48,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $51,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,202 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,981 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,766
2025 BLS Actual
$45,260
2026 Current Est.
$48,202
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,462 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,912 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,766 (2019) to $45,260 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,569 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $42,217 – $44,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,252 – $48,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,202 – $53,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,446 – $57,206 |
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 The Dalles
A total of six certified nursing assistants are currently employed in The Dalles, OR, indicating a measured yet stable job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 102.6, the area presents some financial pressure, impacting take-home earnings and purchasing power for those in the field. The highest-paying positions are typically found in rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, where the acuity of patients necessitates competitive compensation. Factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts can offer an additional $2 to $4 per hour—and premium pay for weekends and agency work during staffing shortages create a wage spread that CNAs can navigate to maximize earnings. For those aspiring to enhance their income, pursuing CMA certification may lead to stipends, and exploring weekend-only roles could offer further financial incentives. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone assessing the certified nursing assistant pay in The Dalles, OR.
More salary data for The Dalles, 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 $45,260 for certified nursing assistantsin the The Dalles 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 The Dalles 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