How Much Does a CNA Make in Oregon in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Oregon, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Oregon · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Oregon earns about $23.96 per hour ($49,830 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 18% above the national figure of $42,260, and Oregon ranks first among the 51 states and jurisdictions tracked for CNA pay. Roughly 14,800 CNAs work across the state, one of the larger workforces in this field nationally.
How much does a CNA make in Oregon?
CNA pay by career stage in Oregon
| Career stage | Oregon | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $43,210$20.78 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $47,480$22.83 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $49,830$23.96 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $59,080$28.40 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $61,310$29.48 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 Oregon
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Oregon · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, Oregon CNAs typically earned $29,370 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $49,830, a rise of 70% over the decade, an increase of $20,460. Nationally, pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Oregon's gain outpaced the national trend. Pay has been moving up steadily for CNAs entering the field now, though future gains are never guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Oregon
Pay runs highest in the Portland metro area, where CNAs typically earn $50,350 a year. Bend and Grants Pass follow closely, both above $49,700. At the lower end, Medford's typical pay sits at $47,890, a gap of $2,460 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and pay in higher-cost cities like Portland tends to track higher local living expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Oregon | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $50,350 | $24.21 | +1% | 8,890 |
| 2 | Bend | $50,080 | $24.08 | +1% | 620 |
| 3 | Grants Pass | $49,770 | $23.93 | 0% | 420 |
| 4 | Salem | $48,840 | $23.48 | -2% | 1,390 |
| 5 | Corvallis | $48,830 | $23.48 | -2% | 340 |
| 6 | Albany | $48,550 | $23.34 | -3% | 530 |
| 7 | Eugene metro incl. Springfield | $48,320 | $23.23 | -3% | 1,540 |
| 8 | Medford | $47,890 | $23.02 | -4% | 1,000 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Oregon typical pay $49,830
How Oregon compares with nearby states
Oregon pays CNAs more than each of its bordering states. Washington comes closest, just 1% below Oregon's typical pay, while Idaho lags furthest behind at 22% lower. California and Nevada fall in between, each several percentage points under Oregon's figure. 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 Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 | baseline |
| Washington | $49,180 | -1% |
| California | $47,630 | -4% |
| Nevada | $45,490 | -9% |
| Idaho | $38,650 | -22% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Oregon a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Oregon earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $49,830 a year, 18% above the national figure and the 1st highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Oregon, about 7.5 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes CNAs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. Taken together, Oregon is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Oregon CNAs typically earn $49,830 a year ($23.96 an hour), and that figure has climbed 70% over the past decade, one of the stronger gains among CNA salary data nationwide. For details on certification requirements, check Oregon's state registry page; for pay specific to a city, see the local city pages linked above.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Oregon?
- A CNA in Oregon typically earns **$49,830 a year**, or about **$23.96 an hour**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 18% above the national typical pay for the role.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Oregon?
- CNAs in Oregon typically earn **$23.96 an hour**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $28.40 to $29.48 an hour, while entry-level pay tends to start closer to $20.78.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Oregon?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Oregon typically offer around **$20.78 an hour**, or about **$43,210 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay tends to rise from there with experience and additional certifications.
- Which city in Oregon pays CNAs the most?
- The **Portland metro area** pays CNAs the most in Oregon, with typical pay around **$50,350 a year** ($24.21 an hour). Bend and Grants Pass follow close behind, while Medford sits at the lower end of the state's city figures.
- Is CNA pay in Oregon higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Oregon's typical CNA pay of **$49,830 a year** runs about 18% above the national figure of $42,260, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Oregon ranks first among the 51 states and jurisdictions tracked for this role.