Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Ohio
A nursing assistant in Ohio earns an estimated $39,010 a year ($18.75/hr) — about 8% below the U.S. average, with most between $37,300 and $44,590. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Ohio
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$39,010
-8% vs nationalHourly
$18.75/hr
- Typical range
- $37,300–$44,590
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $46,570
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $35,060
- Newer nurses
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in Ohio
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Columbus | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| Cleveland | $39,010 | $18.75 |
| Dayton | $41,670 | $20.03 |
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states
How Ohio compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.
Other nursing roles in Ohio
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nursing assistant pay in Ohio
Pay below the national median; low cost of living. For a nursing assistant specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Ohio in official U.S. government wage data — about 8% below the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Ohio, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,060 and the highest-paid 10% about $46,570. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Ohio — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Ohio make this page more precise over time.
Nursing Assistant salary in Ohio — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in Ohio?
- A nursing assistant in Ohio earns an estimated $39,010 a year — about $18.75 an hour, with most between $37,300 and $44,590. That's about 8% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Ohio's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Ohio a good state for nursing assistants?
- For pay, Ohio sits about 8% below the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $39,010 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Ohio pays nursing assistants the most?
- Among Ohio metros we track, Columbus tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $42,970 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Ohio nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $39,010 in Ohio — about 8% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)
Ohio figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Ohio (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Ohio. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.