How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 63,280 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,010 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Ohio, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Ohio
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Registered Nurse, State Tested Nurse Aide, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The licensing authority is the Ohio Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Ohio Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Ohio is $39,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,060 and experienced professionals can earn $46,570 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Ohio Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Ohio): $39,010 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| State Tested Nurse Aide | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Certified Teacher Aide | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Medication Aides |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 13,060 | $39,010 | $40,590 | $35,480 | $46,710 |
| Cincinnati | 11,390 | $40,350 | $41,950 | $37,300 | $47,180 |
| Columbus | 10,020 | $42,970 | $42,030 | $37,510 | $47,230 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 4,970 | $41,670 | $40,740 | $36,430 | $44,940 |
| Toledo | 3,590 | $39,700 | $41,230 | $36,050 | $46,900 |
| Akron | 3,170 | $39,250 | $40,520 | $36,540 | $45,700 |
| Canton-Massillon | 2,360 | $37,840 | $39,050 | $34,040 | $44,810 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 2,360 | $37,050 | $37,520 | $34,230 | $43,180 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,950 | $37,140 | $36,890 | $29,600 | $45,400 |
| Wheeling | 910 | $36,910 | $37,740 | $34,940 | $44,520 |
| Springfield | 720 | $38,020 | $39,240 | $35,570 | $44,970 |
| Lima | 690 | $37,360 | $39,390 | $31,590 | $47,210 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 660 | $36,190 | $36,700 | $31,370 | $42,220 |
| Mansfield | 600 | $39,380 | $38,680 | $33,070 | $45,210 |
| Sandusky | 560 | $37,910 | $39,220 | $32,090 | $44,910 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 13,060 | $39,010 |
| Cincinnati | 11,390 | $40,350 |
| Columbus | 10,020 | $42,970 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 4,970 | $41,670 |
| Toledo | 3,590 | $39,700 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 63,280 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Ohio is $39,010, which is $520 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.nursing.ohio.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |