Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Portland, OR: $53,623 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Portland, OR earns a median $53,623/year (≈ $25.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $50,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Portland, Oregon, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $53,623, reflecting a post-COVID market adjustment. The local salary range tops out at $65,146 for the highest earners, while those at the entry-level can expect around $46,839 annually. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a substantial 19.14% increase over the national median of $45,007. As employers in Portland continue to elevate wages in response to industry pressures, the job market for certified nursing assistants is evolving, promising more competitive compensation for those entering or advancing in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,839 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,737 | $24.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,623 | $25.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,186 | $30.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,146 | $31.32 |
Median Salary Position
19.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,307 (2026 est.). At $53,623, the local median is 19.14% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $53,623/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,010 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +19.14% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $53,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.14% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.10% above the Oregon state average of $52,010.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,623 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,866 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,020
2025 BLS Actual
$50,350
2026 Current Est.
$53,623
2019–2027 Growth
+67.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,623 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 48.0% from $34,020 (2019) to $50,350 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,088 (67.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $46,839 – $50,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,737 – $53,623 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,623 – $63,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,186 – $65,146 |
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 Portland
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Portland is robust, with approximately 8,890 individuals employed in this capacity. However, the cost of living index of 105.421 indicates that while salaries are on the rise, housing and living expenses are also above the national average. In this dynamic environment, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, while home health agencies may provide attractive flexibility. Pay disparities can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts may award an additional $2-4 per hour—and premiums for weekend work. Additionally, certified nursing assistants can boost their earnings through agency roles during staffing shortages or by pursuing specialized certifications. For those looking to maximize their pay in Portland OR, exploring positions with varied shifts, agency work, and pathways to LPN or RN status can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $50,350 for certified nursing assistantsin the Portland 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