CNA Salary

Seattle vs Longview: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Seattle, WA and Longview, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$55,369
$26.63/hr
Longview, WA
$50,939
$24.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WALongview, WA
Median Salary$55,369$50,939
Hourly Rate$26.63$24.49
Entry Level (P10)$49,054$41,748
25th Percentile$51,237$48,479
75th Percentile$63,847$53,122
Top Earner (P90)$71,653$62,846
Total Employed16,530440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($55,369) and Longview ($50,939) certified nursing assistant salaries.SeattleLongviewMedian Salary$55,369$50,939Entry Level (P10)$49,054$41,748Top Earner (P90)$71,653$62,846US Median $45,007

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Longview.

The salary gap between Seattle and Longview is $4,430 (8.70%). Seattle's median is +23.02% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $22,599,Longview spans $21,098. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$49,054
P25$51,237
Median$55,369
P75$63,847
P90 (Top)$71,653
Longview
P10 (Entry)$41,748
P25$48,479
Median$50,939
P75$53,122
P90 (Top)$62,846

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Longview ($52,221 effective) pays 4.81% more than Seattle ($49,822 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $55,369
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $49,822
Longview
Nominal: $50,939
CoL Index: 97.545
Adjusted: $52,221

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,369/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,653)
  • Larger job market (16,530 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Longview if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,221)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Seattle grew 48.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.2% growth in Longview over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+48.9%

$34,920 (2019) → $51,990 (2025)

Longview, WA

+43.2%

$33,400 (2019) → $47,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Seattle or Longview?

Seattle has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $55,369/year, compared to Longview at $50,939/year — a difference of $4,430 (8.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Longview?

Seattle certified nursing assistants earn $26.63/hr while Longview hygienists earn $24.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Longview as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Longview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $49,822, Longview = $52,221), job availability (16,530 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Seattle vs Longview?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $49,054 in Seattle and $41,748 in Longview. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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