Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Ocala, FL: $38,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Ocala, FL earns a median $38,883/year (≈ $18.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Ocala's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $40,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the nursing field in Ocala, Florida, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in 2026 is estimated to be $38,883. This figure reflects a significant disparity when compared with the national median of $45,007, highlighting the financial realities faced by CNAs in the region. With a salary range from $33,643 at the 10th percentile to $47,126 at the 90th percentile, many CNAs may find their earnings influenced by factors such as whether they work in skilled nursing facilities or hospital settings, where pay can vary considerably. This data derives from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, offering a clear picture of the economic landscape for those entering or advancing in this field here in Ocala.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,643 | $16.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,883 | $18.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,895 | $19.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,126 | $22.66 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ocala
In Ocala, FL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,483 (2026 est.). At $38,883, the local median is 13.61% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Ocala: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ocala Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Ocala median: $38,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ocala Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $39,395 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -13.61% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Ocala, FL earn a median of $38,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $39,395.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ocala has a cost of living 4.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ocala, FL has a cost-of-living index of 95.234 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,829 in an average-cost city — an effective 5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,600
2025 BLS Actual
$36,510
2026 Current Est.
$38,883
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ocala (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ocala metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.3% from $27,600 (2019) to $36,510 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,811 (50.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ocala 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) | $33,643 – $36,700 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,700 – $38,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,883 – $39,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,895 – $47,126 |
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 Ocala
The local job market is robust, with approximately 1,470 certified nursing assistants employed across various healthcare settings in Ocala. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 95.234, suggests that CNAs may enjoy a slightly more favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. While skilled nursing facilities might have competitive pay, hospitals—particularly on medical/surgical floors, ICUs, and rehabilitation centers—often offer higher wages, especially for night shifts, which typically command a premium of $2-4 per hour. Factors contributing to the pay variance include agency pay during staff shortages and potential stipends for certified medication aides. To maximize earnings, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment in higher-acuity facilities or positions offering weekend premiums, as these strategies can significantly enhance take-home pay in the Ocala market.
More salary data for Ocala, FL:
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 $36,510 for certified nursing assistantsin the Ocala 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