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The average salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant in the United States is approximately $32,597 annually or about $16 per hour. Factors such as location, experience, and specific healthcare settings can significantly influence these figures.
Some of the highest paying states for CNAs include California, Washington, and New York. In these states, CNAs may earn upwards of $40,000 due to higher living costs and demand for healthcare professionals.
CNAs can enhance their earnings through additional certifications or by advancing to roles such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). Continuing education and experience can lead to better positions and higher pay, making it a worthwhile investment for those in the field.
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The highest-paying states for certified nursing assistants are Hawaii, Alaska, and Vermont. The lowest average certified nursing assistant salary states are Texas, Arkansas, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $38,575 | $18.55 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $37,696 | $18.12 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $33,411 | $16.06 |
| 4 | Vermont | $40,762 | $19.60 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 7 | Washington | $36,232 | $17.42 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| 9 | Oregon | $35,586 | $17.11 |
| 10 | Alaska | $42,735 | $20.55 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $34,189 | $16.44 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $45,187 | $21.72 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $32,207 | $15.48 |
| 14 | Michigan | $31,632 | $15.21 |
| 15 | New York | $35,584 | $17.11 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $32,324 | $15.54 |
| 17 | Indiana | $30,924 | $14.87 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $32,143 | $15.45 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $31,749 | $15.26 |
| 20 | Ohio | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| 21 | Nevada | $33,337 | $16.03 |
| 22 | Montana | $31,162 | $14.98 |
| 23 | Delaware | $33,587 | $16.15 |
| 24 | Arizona | $31,418 | $15.10 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $31,858 | $15.32 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $29,142 | $14.01 |
| 27 | Illinois | $31,442 | $15.12 |
| 28 | Iowa | $29,614 | $14.24 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $29,208 | $14.04 |
| 30 | California | $34,156 | $16.42 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $29,933 | $14.39 |
| 32 | Idaho | $30,836 | $14.82 |
| 33 | Maryland | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| 34 | Missouri | $29,187 | $14.03 |
| 35 | Kansas | $29,224 | $14.05 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $27,747 | $13.34 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $29,669 | $14.26 |
| 38 | Utah | $30,522 | $14.67 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $27,842 | $13.39 |
| 40 | Virginia | $30,998 | $14.90 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $31,562 | $15.17 |
| 42 | Florida | $27,476 | $13.21 |
| 43 | Colorado | $30,603 | $14.71 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $28,851 | $13.87 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $25,978 | $12.49 |
| 46 | Texas | $27,265 | $13.11 |
| 47 | Alabama | $27,943 | $13.43 |
| 48 | Georgia | $26,394 | $12.69 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $26,863 | $12.91 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $25,719 | $12.36 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $25,164 | $12.10 |
The highest-paying cities for certified nursing assistants are Portland, ME, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, ME | $38,636 | $18.57 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $36,947 | $17.76 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $36,534 | $17.56 |
| 4 | Eugene, OR | $35,701 | $17.16 |
| 5 | Providence, RI | $35,547 | $17.09 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $35,528 | $17.08 |
| 7 | Wallingford, CT | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $34,015 | $16.35 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $33,229 | $15.98 |
| 11 | Saint Paul, MN | $32,385 | $15.57 |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $32,174 | $15.47 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $31,671 | $15.23 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $31,657 | $15.22 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $31,580 | $15.18 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $31,479 | $15.13 |
| 17 | Glendale, AZ | $31,446 | $15.12 |
| 18 | Baltimore, MD | $31,344 | $15.07 |
| 19 | Charlottesville, VA | $30,954 | $14.88 |
| 20 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,788 | $14.80 |
Certified Nursing Assistants are the most in-demand in these five cities:
A certified nursing assistant's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $32,597 | $2,716 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of certified nursing assistants are registered nursing assistant, licensed nursing assistant, and assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses' Aide | $30,496 | $2,541 | $14.66 | 157,723 |
| Nurse Technician | $33,005 | $2,750 | $15.87 | 195,553 |
| Certified Medical Aide | $32,675 | $2,723 | $15.71 | 235,444 |
| Certified Nurses' Aide | $32,566 | $2,714 | $15.66 | 171,087 |
Top companies hiring certified nursing assistants now:
Certified nursing assistant salaries at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average certified nursing assistant salary at companies like Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company and Favorite Healthcare Staffing are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valley Presbyterian Hospital | $43,781 | $21.05 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $43,404 | $20.87 |
| 3 | Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company | $42,542 | $20.45 |
| 4 | Favorite Healthcare Staffing | $42,317 | $20.34 |
| 5 | Alameda Health System | $41,729 | $20.06 |
| 6 | Encompass Health | $41,423 | $19.91 |
| 7 | American Mobile Healthcare | $41,031 | $19.73 |
| 8 | Blessing Hospital Emergency Room | $40,907 | $19.67 |
| 9 | Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 | $40,901 | $19.66 |
| 10 | North Shore Healthcare | $40,231 | $19.34 |
| 11 | University of California | $40,176 | $19.32 |
| 12 | Dignity Health | $40,051 | $19.26 |
| 13 | QuintilesIMS | $39,864 | $19.17 |
| 14 | Southcoast Health | $39,832 | $19.15 |
| 15 | Seattle Cancer Care Alliance | $39,784 | $19.13 |
| 16 | Washington Hospital Healthcare System | $39,749 | $19.11 |
| 17 | Lawrence General Hospital | $39,479 | $18.98 |
| 18 | The University of Chicago | $39,419 | $18.95 |
| 19 | Student Conservation Association | $39,327 | $18.91 |
| 20 | Dialysis Clinic | $39,307 | $18.90 |
The average certified nursing assistant salary has risen by $5,355 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average certified nursing assistant earned $27,242 annually, but today, they earn $32,597 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for certified nursing assistants over the last decade.
Compare certified nursing assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare certified nursing assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,600 | $15.67 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $31,000 | $14.89 | -4.5% |
| 2023 | $32,400 | $15.56 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $31,200 | $15.00 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $30,100 | $14.49 | +3.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmh | CNA, Nights, Rumford Community Home | Rumford, ME | 06/30/2025 | $42,784 |
| Wellpath | Certified Nursing Assistant | Batesville, AR | 06/30/2025 | $37,044 |
| Providence Life Services | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), AM Shift | Homer, IL | 06/30/2025 | $38,088 |
| Sutterhealth | Nursing Assistant | San Francisco, CA | 06/30/2025 | $58,353 |
| Independent Living Resources | Direct Support Professional-Cna/Hha/Pca Experience | East Greenbush, NY | 06/30/2025 | $36,523 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Medication Nursing Assistant (MNA) | Manchester, NH | 06/30/2025 | $48,001 |
| Illuminus | Certified Nursing Assistant CNA ST. Dominic Villa | Dubuque, IA | 06/30/2025 | $38,735 |
| Myfamilyfirsthc | CNA Pediatric Home Health | Winner, SD | 06/30/2025 | $43,827 |
| Encompass Health Corp | Certified Nursing Assistant I | Fitchburg, WI | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Encompass Health | Rehab Nursing Tech/Nursing Assistant | Parkersburg, WV | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
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