Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Yakima, WA: $50,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Yakima, WA earns a median $50,140/year (≈ $24.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Yakima's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $52,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Yakima, WA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $50,140 in 2026, marking a noteworthy increase compared to national figures. With a salary range from $42,632 at the 10th percentile to $51,663 at the 90th percentile, CNAs in this city are well positioned within the labor market. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate that Yakima's certified nursing assistant pay surpasses the national median of $45,007 by approximately 11.40%. Aspirants aiming to transition from CNA to LPN or RN will find that this substantial salary not only recognizes their essential role in healthcare but also motivates them to pursue higher credentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,632 | $20.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,400 | $21.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,163 | $24.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,663 | $24.84 |
Median Salary Position
11.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,031 (2026 est.). At $50,140, the local median is 11.4% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yakima: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Yakima Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Yakima median: $50,140/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yakima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,163 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +11.40% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Yakima, WA earn a median of $50,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $51,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yakima has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yakima, WA has a cost-of-living index of 95.545 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $50,140 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,478 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,350
2025 BLS Actual
$47,080
2026 Current Est.
$50,140
2019–2027 Growth
+75.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,399 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yakima metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 55.1% from $30,350 (2019) to $47,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,049 (75.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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) | $42,632 – $44,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,400 – $50,140 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,140 – $51,163 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,163 – $51,663 |
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 Yakima
In Yakima, the local employment landscape features about 1,320 certified nursing assistants, contributing significantly to the healthcare system, especially during a time when the workforce is recovering from post-COVID turnover. The cost of living index in the area, at 95.545, suggests that economic conditions are favorable for CNAs regarding purchasing power. Facilities such as skilled nursing centers and hospitals offer competitive rates, especially for positions requiring higher acuity care. The variation in salaries results from factors like shift differentials, which can provide up to an additional $4 per hour for night shifts or weekends. Aspiring CNAs in Yakima can maximize their pay by considering flexible shifts or aiming for roles in high-demand areas, including hospice or rehabilitation hospitals, which tend to offer higher premiums due to staffing shortages and care complexities.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
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 $47,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Yakima 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