Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Ardmore, OK: $37,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Ardmore, OK earns a median $37,865/year (≈ $18.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Ardmore's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $42,593 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Ardmore, Oklahoma, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $37,865, reflecting a post-COVID wage reset in the healthcare sector. The salary range for this occupation spans from $31,373 at the 10th percentile to $45,709 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in pay based on experience and specific employment settings. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences. This local salary context shows that, while Ardmore's certified nursing assistant pay falls short of the national median of $45,007, it aligns with the area's cost of living and labor demand, shaping the overall job market for CNAs in the region.
About the Ardmore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($31,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,373 | $15.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,745 | $16.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,865 | $18.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,158 | $20.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,709 | $21.97 |
Median Salary Position
15.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ardmore
In Ardmore, OK, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,336 (2026 est.). At $37,865, the local median is 15.87% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ardmore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ardmore Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Ardmore median: $37,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ardmore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $40,026 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -15.87% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Ardmore, OK earn a median of $37,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $40,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ardmore has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ardmore, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,593 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,953
2025 BLS Actual
$35,554
2026 Current Est.
$37,865
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Ardmore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,953 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,955 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ardmore metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,953 (2019) to $35,554 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,373 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ardmore 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) | $31,373 – $33,745 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,745 – $37,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,865 – $42,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,158 – $45,709 |
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 Ardmore
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Ardmore consists of only seven employed individuals, which may indicate a niche but essential role in local healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 88.9, Ardmore presents a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power, despite lower salaries compared to national averages. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, with increased pay potential driven by factors such as shift differentials—typically yielding an additional $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends. To optimize earnings, CNAs should consider seeking roles in these high-pay settings, pursuing weekend-only positions, or obtaining additional certifications that could qualify them for higher-paying responsibilities. Additionally, transitioning to LPN or RN pathways is a viable option that can significantly boost career prospects and salary potential in the Ardmore area.
More salary data for Ardmore, OK:
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 $35,554 for certified nursing assistantsin the Ardmore 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
Salary data for Ardmore is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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