Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Parkersburg, WV: $38,574 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Parkersburg, WV earns a median $38,574/year (≈ $18.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Parkersburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $44,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants find themselves in diverse earnings scenarios across Parkersburg, West Virginia, as they navigate between skilled nursing facilities and hospital environments. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $38,574, reflecting a wage structure that varies significantly across employers. The salary range for CNAs in the area extends from $33,079 at the lower end to $45,965 for those in top-paying positions. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which highlight the competitive nature of the healthcare job market in Parkersburg. Given the regional dynamics, understanding the different pay scales in various facilities can be key to maximizing earnings in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,079 | $15.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,499 | $18.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,574 | $18.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,065 | $19.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,965 | $22.10 |
Median Salary Position
14.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, WV, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,886 (2026 est.). At $38,574, the local median is 14.29% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Parkersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Parkersburg Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Parkersburg median: $38,574/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parkersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.29% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $38,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.29% lower than the national median of $45,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parkersburg has a cost of living 12.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Parkersburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 87.066 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,574 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,304 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,930
2025 BLS Actual
$36,220
2026 Current Est.
$38,574
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,574 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parkersburg metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.7% from $25,930 (2019) to $36,220 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,152 (58.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parkersburg 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) | $33,079 – $37,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,499 – $38,574 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,574 – $40,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,065 – $45,965 |
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 Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, approximately 400 certified nursing assistants are currently employed, indicating a stable local job market despite recent challenges in the industry. With a cost-of-living index of 87.066, CNA salaries in the area offer a relative advantage in purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically provide competitive pay, often enhanced by shift differentials, with weekend shifts attracting premiums between $1-3 per hour and night shifts potentially boosting hourly pay by $2-4. The range in earnings can also be driven by the acuity of patient care responsibilities and additional certifications like CMA designations. For CNAs aspiring to increase their compensation, exploring opportunities in high-demand roles and considering further education toward LPN or RN pathways may prove beneficial. This proactive approach can help navigate the evolving job landscape in Parkersburg, ensuring a rewarding career trajectory.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
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 $36,220 for certified nursing assistantsin the Parkersburg 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