Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary
A nursing assistant (cna) earns about $39,610 a year — roughly $19.04/hour, with most earning between $35,430 and $47,940. This is a verified national figure from official public wage data.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — U.S. national
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$39,610
Hourly
$19.04/hr
- Typical range
- $35,430–$47,940
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $51,220
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $30,020
- Newer nurses
What affects this pay
- State and metro labor market
- Long-term care vs hospital
- Shift differentials
- Experience
About Nursing Assistants
What they do
Nursing Assistants (usually Certified Nursing Assistants, CNAs) handle hands-on basic care — bathing, feeding, mobility, and recording vitals — under nurse supervision. The role is the backbone of long-term care staffing.
How to become a Nursing Assistant
CNAs finish a short state-approved training program (often 4–12 weeks) and pass a competency exam to join the state nurse-aide registry. No degree is required.
What drives the pay
CNA pay is the entry rung of the nursing-care ladder. It tracks closely with local minimum and service-wage levels and is highest in hospitals and high-cost metros.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by state
Where this role tends to pay the most.
| State | Annual pay | vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $54,660 | +38% vs national |
| Hawaii | $47,530 | +20% vs national |
| Alaska | $46,740 | +18% vs national |
| Oregon | $46,740 | +18% vs national |
| Washington | $46,740 | +18% vs national |
| Massachusetts | $45,550 | +15% vs national |
| New York | $44,760 | +13% vs national |
| District of Columbia | $44,360 | +12% vs national |
Compare next
Roles nurses weigh against this one.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2024, national)
National wage figures for SOC 31-1131 are seeded from published BLS OEWS May 2024 national data. Run `npm run import:oews` to replace seed values with figures parsed directly from official OEWS files.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology