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Certified nurses' aide salary
Average certified nurses' aide salary
$15.66
Average Certified Nurses' Aide Salary
The average Certified Nurses' Aide (CNA) salary in the United States is $32,566 per year, or $16 per hour. Salaries can vary widely based on state, experience, and the specific healthcare setting in which CNAs work. For instance, more experienced CNAs often command higher wages, reflecting their expertise in patient care.
Where Can a Certified Nurses' Aide Earn More?
Geographic location plays a significant role in salary levels for CNAs. States such as California, New York, and Massachusetts tend to offer higher salaries compared to others. Additionally, urban centers typically provide better compensation than rural areas. Major cities often have a higher demand for healthcare professionals, which can increase earning potential.
Highest Paying Certified Nurses' Aide Jobs
CNAs can enhance their salaries by pursuing specialized roles, such as those in hospice care or rehabilitation facilities. These positions not only offer higher pay but also the chance to develop specific skills that are increasingly in demand in the healthcare industry.
By understanding the salary dynamics and opportunities available, aspiring CNAs can strategically plan their career paths and maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Certified Nurses' Aide earn more?
Average certified nurses' aide salary by state
The highest-paying states for certified nurses' aides are Hawaii, New York, and Massachusetts. The lowest average certified nurses' aide salary states are Oklahoma, Missouri, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for certified nurses' aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $36,562 | $17.58 |
| 2 | Michigan | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| 3 | Montana | $36,428 | $17.51 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $36,228 | $17.42 |
| 5 | New York | $38,863 | $18.68 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $35,402 | $17.02 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $38,646 | $18.58 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $34,330 | $16.50 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $48,476 | $23.31 |
| 11 | Washington | $35,986 | $17.30 |
| 12 | Vermont | $36,428 | $17.51 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $34,576 | $16.62 |
| 14 | Illinois | $34,695 | $16.68 |
| 15 | Oregon | $35,146 | $16.90 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $32,330 | $15.54 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $34,222 | $16.45 |
| 19 | Ohio | $31,757 | $15.27 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $32,398 | $15.58 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $32,887 | $15.81 |
| 22 | Delaware | $33,952 | $16.32 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $31,733 | $15.26 |
| 24 | California | $36,417 | $17.51 |
| 25 | Nevada | $33,844 | $16.27 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $29,821 | $14.34 |
| 27 | Alaska | $33,237 | $15.98 |
| 28 | Indiana | $29,388 | $14.13 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $32,783 | $15.76 |
| 30 | Kansas | $31,294 | $15.05 |
| 31 | Arizona | $31,473 | $15.13 |
| 32 | Idaho | $31,467 | $15.13 |
| 33 | Utah | $31,445 | $15.12 |
| 34 | Virginia | $32,338 | $15.55 |
| 35 | Colorado | $31,633 | $15.21 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $27,812 | $13.37 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $30,428 | $14.63 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $28,615 | $13.76 |
| 39 | Maryland | $31,656 | $15.22 |
| 40 | Texas | $28,156 | $13.54 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $26,603 | $12.79 |
| 42 | Iowa | $27,943 | $13.43 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $27,227 | $13.09 |
| 44 | Missouri | $26,286 | $12.64 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $32,012 | $15.39 |
| 46 | Alabama | $28,311 | $13.61 |
| 47 | Florida | $27,424 | $13.18 |
| 48 | Georgia | $26,202 | $12.60 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $26,160 | $12.58 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $25,593 | $12.30 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $25,327 | $12.18 |
Highest paying cities for certified nurses' aides
The highest-paying cities for certified nurses' aides are Guilderland, NY, Butte-Silver Bow, MT, and Grand Rapids, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guilderland, NY | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| 2 | Butte-Silver Bow, MT | $36,077 | $17.34 |
| 3 | Grand Rapids, MI | $35,984 | $17.30 |
| 4 | Medford, OR | $35,279 | $16.96 |
| 5 | McHenry, IL | $35,218 | $16.93 |
| 6 | Erie, PA | $34,915 | $16.79 |
| 7 | Mahwah, NJ | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 8 | Alexandria, VA | $33,272 | $16.00 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $31,684 | $15.23 |
| 10 | Glendale, AZ | $31,505 | $15.15 |
| 11 | Elkhart, IN | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 12 | San Angelo, TX | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| 13 | Marshalltown, IA | $28,101 | $13.51 |
| 14 | Memphis, TN | $27,691 | $13.31 |
Certified Nurses' Aides are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Certified nurses' aide salary details
A certified nurses' aide's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a certified nurses' aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $32,566 | $2,714 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying certified nurses' aide jobs
The highest paying types of certified nurses' aides are medication aide, clinical medical assistant, and registered medical assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient Sitter | $29,649 | $2,471 | $14.25 | 188,756 |
| Patient Escort | $33,351 | $2,779 | $16.03 | 174,801 |
| Aide | $27,793 | $2,316 | $13.36 | 78,919 |
| Home Health Aid | $27,249 | $2,271 | $13.10 | 248,490 |
| Hospice Aide | $28,632 | $2,386 | $13.77 | 163,630 |
| Nurse Technician | $33,005 | $2,750 | $15.87 | 195,553 |
Top companies hiring certified nurses' aides now:
Which companies pay certified nurses' aides the most?
Certified nurses' aide salaries at Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company and West Texas Rehab Center are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average certified nurses' aide salary at companies like Portneuf Medical Center and Health Alliance are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company | $42,339 | $20.36 |
| 2 | West Texas Rehab Center | $37,487 | $18.02 |
| 3 | Portneuf Medical Center | $37,383 | $17.97 |
| 4 | Health Alliance | $36,447 | $17.52 |
| 5 | Hospice of The Valley | $35,736 | $17.18 |
| 6 | American Senior Benefits | $35,221 | $16.93 |
| 7 | SantaFe HealthCare | $35,121 | $16.89 |
| 8 | McLaren Health Care | $35,037 | $16.84 |
| 9 | Jasper Memorial Hospital | $35,021 | $16.84 |
| 10 | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | $34,975 | $16.81 |
| 11 | Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System | $34,956 | $16.81 |
| 12 | Sutter Health | $34,885 | $16.77 |
| 13 | Yukon Kuskokwim Health | $34,771 | $16.72 |
| 14 | Vincentian Collaborative System | $34,599 | $16.63 |
| 15 | St Luke's Hospital & Health Network Inc | $34,499 | $16.59 |
| 16 | Huntsville Memorial Hospital | $34,453 | $16.56 |
| 17 | NurseCore | $34,399 | $16.54 |
| 18 | Rochester Regional Health | $34,386 | $16.53 |
| 19 | Yale New Haven Health | $34,382 | $16.53 |
| 20 | Alice Hyde Medical Center | $34,027 | $16.36 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Certified nurses' aide salary trends
The average certified nurses' aide salary has risen by $5,349 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average certified nurses' aide earned $27,217 annually, but today, they earn $32,566 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for certified nurses' aides over the last decade.
Compare certified nurses' aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average certified nurses' aide salary over time
Compare certified nurses' aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Certified nurses' aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,600 | $15.66 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $30,900 | $14.88 | -4.5% |
| 2023 | $32,300 | $15.54 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $31,200 | $14.99 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $30,100 | $14.48 | +3.3% |
Recently added certified nurses' aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindred Healthcare | Certified Nursing Aide | Rahway, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $31,722 |
| Fort Hudson Nursing Center | Certified Nurses Aide | Fort Edward, NY | 06/29/2025 | $38,296 |
| Get It-Healthcare | Certified Nurse Aide-Remote | WFH | Albuquerque, NM | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| The Peaks Care Center | Certified Nurse Aide and PRN (CNA) | Longmont, CO | 06/29/2025 | $24,000 |
| Civility Home Care | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | Springfield, MA | 06/29/2025 | $35,479 |
| Touchstone Communities | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | Pleasanton, TX | 06/28/2025 | $34,436 |
| Addus Homecare Corporation | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | Columbia, SC | 06/28/2025 | $32,077 |
| Addus Homecare Corporation | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | Albuquerque, NM | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Genesis Healthcare LLC | Non-Certified Nurse Aide | Bloomfield, NM | 06/27/2025 | $27,131 |
| Lifespace Communities | Certified Nurse Aide | Milwaukee, WI | 06/27/2025 | $36,272 |
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