Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oak Harbor, WA: $48,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Oak Harbor, WA earns a median $48,365/year (≈ $23.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Oak Harbor's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $45,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Oak Harbor, Washington, is projected to be $48,365, reflecting a notable recovery in wages following the economic shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a salary range stretching from $39,883 to $54,607, this market demonstrates a competitive edge in the region, as local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate a increase of 7.46% compared to the national median of $45,007. This upward trend suggests a positive adjustment in local wage structure, providing more substantial financial incentives for individuals pursuing a career as a certified nursing assistant. The demand for skilled professionals in this role remains strong as the healthcare sector adapts to ongoing challenges, creating opportunities for those entering the workforce or considering advancement within their careers.
About the Oak Harbor Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,883 | $19.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,563 | $20.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,365 | $23.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,934 | $24.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,607 | $26.25 |
Median Salary Position
7.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Harbor
In Oak Harbor, WA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,724 (2026 est.). At $48,365, the local median is 7.46% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Harbor: You'd be above the median
How Oak Harbor Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Harbor median: $48,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Harbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,180 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.46% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Oak Harbor, WA earn a median of $48,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.46% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.50% below the Washington state average of $51,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Harbor has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Harbor, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,365 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,033 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,873
2025 BLS Actual
$45,413
2026 Current Est.
$48,365
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oak Harbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,873 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,152 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,509 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Harbor metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,873 (2019) to $45,413 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,636 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Harbor 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) | $39,883 – $42,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,563 – $48,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,365 – $51,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,934 – $54,607 |
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 Oak Harbor
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Oak Harbor is relatively tight, with only five certified nursing assistants currently employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 107.4, this means that although salaries appear competitive, the purchasing power may not stretch as far as in other regions. Local employers vary in their compensation, with skilled nursing facilities tending to offer higher wages compared to assisted living communities or home health agencies. Pay disparities can result from factors like shift differentials—where night shifts may earn an additional $2-4 per hour—and weekend premiums ranging from $1-3. Additionally, positions may also be influenced by agency premium pay during staffing shortages and the inclusion of stipends for certified medical assistant (CMA) certifications. For CNAs seeking to maximize their pay, targeting high-acuity settings, considering weekend-only positions, and obtaining additional certifications like CMA can be effective strategies in Oak Harbor’s evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Oak Harbor, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Oak Harbor, WA in 2026?
Is Oak Harbor, WA a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Oak Harbor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Oak Harbor?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Oak Harbor?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $45,413 for certified nursing assistantsin the Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor 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