Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in California
A nursing assistant in California earns an estimated $47,630 a year ($22.90/hr) — about 13% above the U.S. average, with most between $45,850 and $54,800. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — California
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$47,630
+13% vs nationalHourly
$22.90/hr
- Typical range
- $45,850–$54,800
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $61,100
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $40,110
- Newer nurses
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in California
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| San Francisco | $56,080 | $26.96 |
| San Diego | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Sacramento | $47,510 | $22.84 |
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states
How California compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.
Other nursing roles in California
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nursing assistant pay in California
Highest nurse pay in the U.S., offset by high cost of living. For a nursing assistant specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for California in official U.S. government wage data — about 13% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In California, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,110 and the highest-paid 10% about $61,100. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for California — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in California make this page more precise over time.
Nursing Assistant salary in California — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in California?
- A nursing assistant in California earns an estimated $47,630 a year — about $22.90 an hour, with most between $45,850 and $54,800. That's about 13% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and California's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is California a good state for nursing assistants?
- For pay, California sits about 13% above the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $47,630 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in California pays nursing assistants the most?
- Among California metros we track, San Francisco tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $56,080 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does California nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $47,630 in California — about 13% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)
California figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for California (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for California. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.