Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $22.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Columbus, OH runs $22.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,460 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Columbus, OH, can anticipate an hourly wage of $22.00 in 2026, which positions them slightly above the national median of $21.64. This hourly rate benefits part-time and per-diem workers who typically pick up shifts in varied healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or assisted living environments. The hourly earnings range from $19.20 at the 10th percentile to $24.19 at the 90th percentile, reflecting pathways for entry-level positions to more experienced roles. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS and projected to 2026, indicates a health care landscape that values certified nursing assistants, especially in a city with a growing demand for patient care services.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.20 | $153.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.57 | $156.60 |
| Median (P50) | $22.00 | $176.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.57 | $188.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.19 | $193.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $22.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.00/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $45,766 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,403. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $880.12 | $3,814 | $45,766 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $528.07 | $2,288 | $27,460 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.05 | $1,526 | $18,306 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Columbus) | $22.00 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus, OH earn a median of $45,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.68% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 9.80% above the Ohio state average of $41,679.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.00/hr = $27,460/year (purchasing power: $28,763).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,766/year (purchasing power: $47,938).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+74.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Columbus grew 53.9% from $13.42/hr (2019) to $20.66/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Columbus
For certified nursing assistants working part-time with a schedule of only three days per week, these earnings can sum to a competitive annual income compared to full-time positions, allowing for flexibility in work-life balance while still preserving financial stability. However, for those in per-diem roles, the earning potential expands, with agency CNAs commonly billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Furthermore, weekend-only contracts can reach pay rates of $30 to $45 per hour in high-demand situations. The hourly rates can vary widely among various employers, such as hospitals versus home health agencies, where benefits packages often come into play. Certified nursing assistants frequently weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. When negotiating pay in Columbus, it's beneficial to research specific employer offerings and be prepared to discuss compensation packages that align with one's financial needs and career goals.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Columbus in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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