Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Ohio: $42,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $42,757/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,141 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbus ($42,970), Beavercreek ($41,735), Dayton ($41,670).
In Ohio, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $42,757, which falls 5.0% below the national median of $45,007. The highest paying city in the state is Columbus, where CNAs can expect to earn $45,763, while Solon ranks as the lowest paying city with a salary of $38,301. This salary difference of $7,462 is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Ohio's CNA roles are shaped by state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, ensuring that workers meet certain standards for patient care. The demand for CNAs is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.50%, driven primarily by the aging population and an increasing need for healthcare support services. As of 2026, there are expected to be 53,917 employed CNAs in the state, indicating a steady job market. Other top paying cities include Beavercreek at $44,448, Dayton at $44,379, Kettering at $43,780, and Cincinnati at $42,973, which reflect regional variations in healthcare employment opportunities.
Ohio Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $31,426 (lowest entry-level) to $55,436 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio certified nursing assistants earn 5% less than the national median ($-2,250/year difference).
Ohio Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Ohio range from $38,520 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,411 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,757. The Ohio median is $2,250 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $20.56/hr. Approximately 53,917 certified nursing assistants are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,660
2025 BLS Actual
$40,147
2026 Current Est.
$42,757
2019–2027 Growth
+58.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,797 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,049 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,147 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,536 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.1% from $28,660 (2019) to $40,147 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,536 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,876 (58.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $38,301 |
| Centerville | $38,307 |
| Avon Lake | $38,391 |
| Wadsworth | $38,420 |
| Tiffin | $38,451 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | $44,448 | 90.7 | $49,006 |
| Kettering | $43,780 | 90.7 | $48,269 |
| Columbus | $45,763 | 95.469 | $47,935 |
| Dayton | $44,379 | 92.694 | $47,877 |
| Mansfield | $41,940 | 88.872 | $47,191 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,520 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,757 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,411 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $45,763 |
| 2 | Beavercreek | $44,448 |
| 3 | Dayton | $44,379 |
| 4 | Kettering | $43,780 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $42,973 |
| 6 | Toledo | $42,281 |
| 7 | Lorain | $42,123 |
| 8 | Parma | $42,008 |
| 9 | Mansfield | $41,940 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Falls | $41,836 |
| 11 | Akron | $41,801 |
| 12 | Hamilton | $41,690 |
| 13 | Cleveland | $41,546 |
| 14 | Lakewood | $41,463 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $41,408 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $41,395 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $41,392 |
| 18 | Westlake | $41,321 |
| 19 | Middletown | $41,305 |
| 20 | Grove City | $41,185 |
| 21 | Delaware | $41,153 |
| 22 | Gahanna | $41,146 |
| 23 | Westerville | $41,120 |
| 24 | Huber Heights | $41,023 |
| 25 | North Ridgeville | $40,991 |
| 26 | North Royalton | $40,932 |
| 27 | North Olmsted | $40,787 |
| 28 | Reynoldsburg | $40,716 |
| 29 | Strongsville | $40,580 |
| 30 | Springfield | $40,491 |
| 31 | Sandusky | $40,374 |
| 32 | Brunswick | $40,328 |
| 33 | Wooster | $40,328 |
| 34 | Canton | $40,300 |
| 35 | Elyria | $40,264 |
| 36 | Shaker Heights | $40,184 |
| 37 | Medina | $40,157 |
| 38 | Dublin | $40,027 |
| 39 | Fairfield | $40,024 |
| 40 | Mentor | $39,982 |
| 41 | Mason | $39,808 |
| 42 | Lima | $39,788 |
| 43 | Avon | $39,758 |
| 44 | Massillon | $39,753 |
| 45 | Marion | $39,697 |
| 46 | Stow | $39,694 |
| 47 | Newark | $39,671 |
| 48 | Findlay | $39,630 |
| 49 | Green | $39,568 |
| 50 | Barberton | $39,568 |
| 51 | Warren | $39,554 |
| 52 | Austintown | $39,552 |
| 53 | Cleveland Heights | $39,546 |
| 54 | Upper Arlington | $39,493 |
| 55 | Xenia | $39,493 |
| 56 | Youngstown | $39,458 |
| 57 | Hilliard | $39,445 |
| 58 | Oxford | $39,322 |
| 59 | Chillicothe | $39,238 |
| 60 | Perrysburg | $39,093 |
| 61 | Trotwood | $39,080 |
| 62 | Athens | $38,667 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $38,451 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $38,420 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $38,391 |
| 66 | Centerville | $38,307 |
| 67 | Solon | $38,301 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Ohio cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Ohio?
How does Ohio certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Ohio?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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