How Much Does a CNA Make in Ohio in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Ohio, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Ohio · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Ohio earns about $18.76 per hour ($39,010 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 8% below the national figure of $20.32 per hour, and Ohio ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay.
Still, the job market carries real scale: 63,280 CNAs currently work across Ohio, keeping demand steady even as pay trails the national mark.
How much does a CNA make in Ohio?
CNA pay by career stage in Ohio
| Career stage | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $35,060$16.86 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $37,300$17.93 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,010$18.76 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,590$21.44 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,570$22.39 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Ohio
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Ohio · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Ohio CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay stood at $24,150 a year; by 2025 it reached $39,010, a rise of 62%. That trails the national decade increase of 64% by a narrow margin, but the direction has held firm, with gains showing up in nearly every year of the stretch.
For someone starting a CNA career in Ohio now, that decade of steady increases shows pay has been moving upward, though no future rise is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Ohio
Pay varies by metro area within Ohio. Columbus leads the state, with CNAs there earning $42,970 a year ($20.66 an hour), a figure covering the full Columbus metro area. Beavercreek, Dayton, and Kettering follow closely at $41,670, and Cincinnati and Toledo also post pay above the state figure.
The gap between Ohio's highest-paying and lowest-paying metro areas runs $6,780 a year, with Steubenville at the low end. As in most states, higher-paying cities tend to carry higher living costs, so a bigger paycheck does not always stretch further.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Ohio | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $42,970 | $20.66 | +10% | 10,020 |
| 2 | Dayton metro incl. Kettering · Beavercreek | $41,670 | $20.03 | +7% | 4,970 |
| 3 | Cincinnati | $40,350 | $19.40 | +3% | 11,390 |
| 4 | Toledo | $39,700 | $19.09 | +2% | 3,590 |
| 5 | Mansfield | $39,380 | $18.94 | +1% | 600 |
| 6 | Akron | $39,250 | $18.87 | +1% | 3,170 |
| 7 | Cleveland | $39,010 | $18.76 | 0% | 13,060 |
| 8 | Springfield | $38,020 | $18.28 | -3% | 720 |
| 9 | Sandusky | $37,910 | $18.22 | -3% | 560 |
| 10 | Canton metro incl. Massillon | $37,840 | $18.19 | -3% | 2,360 |
| 11 | Lima | $37,360 | $17.96 | -4% | 690 |
| 12 | Youngstown metro incl. Warren | $37,050 | $17.81 | -5% | 2,360 |
| 13 | Steubenville | $36,190 | $17.40 | -7% | 660 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Ohio typical pay $39,010
How Ohio compares with nearby states
Ohio sits in the middle of its regional pack. Pennsylvania pays CNAs noticeably more, with typical pay of $44,590 a year, about 14% above Ohio's figure. West Virginia sits lower, at $36,720 a year, about 6% below Ohio, while Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana land close to Ohio's own pay. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $39,010 | baseline |
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | +14% |
| Michigan | $39,570 | +1% |
| Kentucky | $38,370 | -2% |
| Indiana | $38,330 | -2% |
| West Virginia | $36,720 | -6% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Ohio a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Ohio sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $39,010 a year, 8% below the national figure, ranking 33rd of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Ohio, about 11 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Ohio's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Ohio CNAs typically earn $18.76 an hour, or about $39,010 a year, with pay up 62% over the past decade. That places Ohio slightly below the national figure but on a similar upward path. For next steps, the Ohio state registry page covers certification and renewal requirements, while the city pages break down local pay in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other Ohio metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Ohio?
- A CNA in Ohio typically earns $18.76 an hour, or about $39,010 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 8% below the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Ohio?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in Ohio is $18.76, per May 2025 wage data. Hourly pay across the state ranges from around $16.86 for newer CNAs up to $22.39 for those with more experience.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Ohio?
- Entry-level CNAs in Ohio typically start around $16.86 an hour, or about $35,060 a year. With some experience, pay moves up to around $17.93 an hour, or $37,300 a year, before reaching the state's typical pay.
- Which city in Ohio pays CNAs the most?
- Columbus pays CNAs the most in Ohio, with typical pay of $42,970 a year, or $20.66 an hour, across the full Columbus metro area. Beavercreek, Dayton, and Kettering follow close behind at $41,670 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Ohio higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Ohio runs about 8% below the national figure. Typical pay in Ohio is $39,010 a year compared with $42,260 nationally, and Ohio ranks 33rd out of 51 states for CNA pay.