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Are you a certified nursing assistant (CNA) hoping to make the highest possible salary in your field? Would you like to know which state pays CNAs the most?
You are in the right place: Here, you will find the 10 best-paying states for CNAs.
Disclaimer: The data on average CNA wages in this article comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Weekly estimates are based on 40-hour workweeks, and annual estimates are based on 2,080 work hours. Annual salaries are rounded by the BLS and may slightly deviate from exact hourly-to-annual calculations. Estimates do not include self-employed workers, who typically earn higher hourly wages.
How much do CNAs make in the US?
The average wage for CNAs in the United States is $20.53 per hour and $42,700 per year. National average wages provide a point of comparison to income from other professions, the average living wage, the minimum wage, etc.
However, national estimates may be significantly higher or lower than your CNA income based on your specific location and work setting, among other factors.
So, what state pays the highest annual salary for a CNA?
CNAs in some regions of the country make close to $20,000 more annually than their counterparts in other states. This point is precisely the focus of doing a CNA salary comparison by state.
Keep on reading to discover the 10 states that pay CNAs the most.
Top 10 highest-paying states for CNAs
Here are the top 10 states for CNA pay in the US:
1. Washington: $52,230
Washington bumps back up to the number 1 spot this year, with the annual average CNA salary increasing by a little over $2,000 from last year.
Washington is excellent for nursing assistants and nurses. It also sits in the top 10 list of highest-paying states for registered nurses (RNs) and is the number one paying state for licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs).
How much do CNAs make in Washington?
Do you live in the best-paying state for nursing assistants?
Here are the hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages for CNAs living in the Evergreen State:
- Average hourly rate: $25.11
- Average weekly rate: $1,004.40
- Average monthly rate: $4,352.50
- Average annual rate: $52,230
Differences in CNA pay in Washington
This state is an excellent alternative for entry-level CNAs. Here are the average wages at different levels of CNA income in Washington:
- 10th percentile: $42,500
- 25th percentile: $46,980
- 50th percentile: $49,180
- 75th percentile: $57,930
- 90th percentile: $62,660
Which city in this state pays CNAs the most?
Vancouver is the highest-paying city in Washington at 52,660, followed by Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue right behind it, with an annual average CNA salary for the entire metropolitan area at $55,220.
2. Oregon: $52,160
At $52,160 per year, Oregon got bumped to the second slot this year, but just barely.
If you plan on continuing your education, you may also want to consider which state pays nurses the most.
Oregon is also the third-highest-paying state for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in 2026, making it an excellent option for nursing assistants with plans to transition to nurses.
How much can CNAs make in Oregon?
Do you live in the best-paying state for nursing assistants?
The following are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages for CNAs in Oregon:
- Average hourly rate: $25.08
- Average weekly rate: $1,003.08
- Average monthly rate: $4,346.67
- Average annual rate: $52,160
CNA salary variations in Oregon
Interestingly, when we break the salary data down, we see that the lowest-paid CNAs (the 10th percentile) in Oregon make more annually than their counterparts in all other states on this list.
Here are the typical wage percentiles for CNAs in Oregon:
- 10th percentile: $43,210
- 25th percentile: $47,480
- 50th percentile: $49,830
- 75th percentile: $59,080
- 90th percentile: $61,310
Which city in this state pays CNAs the most?
Grants Pass has the highest average CNA salary in the state at $52,720.
Portland and Hillsboro are right behind it with annual average salaries of $52,660, while Salem is at $52,170, and Bend is at $51,900.
3. California: $50,190
The Golden State maintains its third-place ranking this year, with an annual salary of $50,190 for CNAs.
California is also an excellent choice for CNAs wishing to continue their studies and become nurses. It is the second-highest-paying state for licensed vocational nurses and the highest-paying state for RNs.
How much do CNAs make in California?
Anxious to know the breakdown?
The following are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages for CNAs in California:
- Average hourly rate: $24.13
- Average weekly rate: $965.20
- Average monthly rate: $4,182.50
- Average annual rate: $50,190
Highest- and lowest-paid CNAs in California
Now, let’s go even deeper into the specifics of CNA salaries in California. The following are the typical wage percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $40,110
- 25th percentile: $45,850
- 50th percentile: $47,630
- 75th percentile: $54,800
- 90th percentile: $61,100
Where can a CNA make the most money in California?
The 2 highest-paying metropolitan areas in the state are:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has an average CNA salary of $59,370
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has an average CNA salary of $56,700
4. New Hampshire: $49,290
This year, New Hampshire increased its average annual CNA salary by $2,000, jumping up to the number 4 spot from number 7 on last year’s list.
How much do CNAs make in New Hampshire?
Are you eager to learn how much you can make?
Here are the lowest and highest average CNA wages in New Hampshire:
- Average hourly rate: $23.70
- Average weekly rate: $947.88
- Average monthly rate: $4,107.50
- Average annual rate: $49,290
Highest- and lowest-paid CNAs in New Hampshire
The good news for CNAs in New Hampshire is that even the lowest-paid 10% of CNAs make more than double the minimum wage in this state ($7.25 per hour).
The following are the different wage tiers for CNAs in New Hampshire:
- 10th percentile: $39,140
- 25th percentile: $44,890
- 50th percentile: $47,870
- 75th percentile: $54,400
- 90th percentile: $59,660
Where can a CNA make the most money in New Hampshire?
Notably, the Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area has a higher average annual salary than the state as a whole, at $49,890, including Concord.
The Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area is also a high-payer at an average annual CNA wage of $48,220. This could include towns such as Keene, Lebanon, Claremont, and Dublin, among others.
5. Alaska: $48,920
At $48,920 annually, Alaska is the fifth-highest-paid state for CNAs nationwide, down from the number 4 slot last year ($48,550).
How much does a CNA make in Alaska?
So that you can more easily compare a CNA salary to income from other types of jobs, here are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages of CNAs in Alaska:
- Average hourly rate: $23.52
- Average weekly rate: $940.77
- Average monthly rate: $4,076.67
- Average annual rate: $48,920
For reference, on July 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Alaska will increase from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour.
Variations in CNA pay in Alaska
Interestingly, in Alaska, CNAs in the lowest-paid tiers (10th and 25th percentiles) make slightly more than their New Hampshire counterparts.
The following wage tiers can give you a more precise idea of where your CNA salary would fall, depending on numerous factors, such as specific city and type of healthcare setting:
- 10th percentile: $39,450
- 25th percentile: $45,120
- 50th percentile: $46,370
- 75th percentile: $52,240
- 90th percentile: $58,430
Where can a CNA make the most money in Alaska?
Interestingly, Alaska’s nonmetropolitan areas offer a significantly higher annual average salary than the state as a whole and its metropolitan areas, at $51,790. This could include cities such as Bethel, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and others.
For comparison, Anchorage’s annual average CNA salary is $47,500
If you don’t already live in Alaska, moving there might be too overwhelming: the midnight sun, the long, cold winters, and being far from family and friends.
6. New York: $48,800
New York is sixth on the list this year, offering CNAs an average annual salary around $4,000 less per year than this list’s top spot (still a slight increase from last year’s average of $47,530).
How much do CNAs make in New York?
If you are a certified nursing assistant in the Empire State, here are the average CNA wages you can expect to make:
- Average hourly rate: $23.46
- Average weekly rate: $938.46
- Average monthly rate: $4,066.67
- Average annual rate: $48,800
This year, the minimum wage increased to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. For the rest of the state, it increased to $16.00 per hour.
How much do the highest-paid CNAs in New York make?
As with CNA pay in any state, wages can vary significantly due to factors such as the specific city or town and the type of facility.
The following are the average wage tiers available to most CNAs in New York:
- 10th percentile: $38,450
- 25th percentile: $43,760
- 50th percentile: $48,590
- 75th percentile: $51,980
- 90th percentile: $59,890
Where can a CNA make the most money in New York?
Unsurprisingly, the New York metropolitan area offers the highest annual salaries for CNAs at $50,810.
7. Washington, D.C.: $47,930
The nation’s capital appears on the list in seventh place this year—a drop from its sixth-place spot last year—its average CNA salary did rise slightly from $47,480.
How much does a CNA make an hour in D.C.?
Ready to know the breakdown?
Here is how much you can expect to make as a CNA in Washington, D.C.:
- Average hourly rate: $23.04
- Average weekly rate: $921.73
- Average monthly rate: $3,994.17
- Average annual rate: $47,930
For reference, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will increase to $18.40 per hour, effective July 1, for all workers.
Typical CNA salary range in D.C.
Even the lowest-paid CNAs in Washington, D.C. (10th percentile), earn more than the state salary averages for CNAs in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, making the nation’s capital a solid place for entry-level CNAs to make a high income.
Here are the typical wage percentiles for CNAs in D.C.:
- 10th percentile: $38,900
- 25th percentile: $42,400
- 50th percentile: $47,700
- 75th percentile: $51,850
- 90th percentile: $57,500
8. Massachusetts: $47,700
Massachusetts maintains its number 8 spot this year again. It’s also among the highest-paid states for LPNs and RNs, making this an excellent state for CNAs interested in continuing their education to become licensed nurses.
How much do CNAs make in Massachusetts?
The following are average CNA wages in Massachusetts by the hour, week, month, and year:
- Average hourly rate: $22.93
- Average weekly rate: $917.31
- Average monthly rate: $3,975
- Average annual rate: $47,700
Highest- and lowest-paid CNAs in Massachusetts
Unfortunately, Massachusetts has a high cost of living, with a living wage calculated at $30.58 per hour.
The following percentiles show the typical range of CNA wages in Massachusetts:
- 10th percentile: $39,380
- 25th percentile: $44,340
- 50th percentile: $46,680
- 75th percentile: $49,800
- 90th percentile: $57,880
Where can a CNA make the most money in Massachusetts?
The Barnstable Town metropolitan area is the highest-paying in the state at $49,530. This may include towns in the county, such as:
9. Maine: $47,510
Maine was a new addition to the list last year and holds its ninth-place spot with a respectable $47,510 annual average CNA salary. (Up $2,510 from last year.)
How much do CNAs make in Maine?
The following are average CNA wages in Maine by the hour, week, month, and year:
- Average hourly rate: $22.84
- Average weekly rate: $913.65
- Average monthly rate: $3,959.17
- Average annual rate: $47,510
The CNA average hourly wage is significantly higher than the state’s minimum wage, which increased this year from $14.65 to $15.10.
What is the highest CNA pay range in Maine?
The following percentiles show the typical range of CNA wages in Maine:
- 10th percentile: $39,100
- 25th percentile: $44,200
- 50th percentile: $47,070
- 75th percentile: $50,190
- 90th percentile: $58,120
Unfortunately, the living wage for the Pinetree State is $24.74, an hourly rate that only CNAs in the 90th percentile match in earnings.
Where can a CNA make the most money in Maine?
The Lewiston-Auburn metropolitan area is the highest-paying in the state, at $50,160, significantly above the statewide average.
Other cities like Portland and Bangor offer average salaries above the state’s average at $48,930 and $47,800, respectively.
10. Colorado: $47,400
This year, Colorado bumps Hawaii off the list, replacing it at number 10, with an average annual CNA salary of $47,400.
How much do CNAs make in Colorado?
With an hourly living wage of $26.00, Colorado is another state on the list with a high cost of living.
Here are the average wages that CNAs in Colorado can expect to earn:
- Average hourly rate: $22.79
- Average weekly rate: $911.54
- Average monthly rate: $3,950
- Average annual rate: $47,400
What is the highest pay range for CNAs in Colorado?
Here are the typical wage ranges for CNAs in Colorado:
- 10th percentile: $35,600
- 25th percentile: $39,700
- 50th percentile: $44,830
- 75th percentile: $51,110
- 90th percentile: $53,150
Where can a CNA make the most money in Colorado?
Boulder is the top-paying city in the state, offering an average CNA salary of $49,580.
The Denver-Aurora-Centennial metropolitan area also has higher salaries than the state average at $49,470.
The Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area comes in just barely below the state average at $47,390. This area covers 10 counties and includes many towns, including:
Highest CNA salary adjusted for cost of living
Looking at the average salary data alone doesn’t tell the full picture. As we’ve hinted at throughout, context matters. It’s not enough to know where CNAs earn the most; it’s important to compare those earnings with the area’s minimum wage and cost of living.
In that regard, this list is the top 10 states where the annual salary may not be the highest, but it stretches the furthest because of a lower cost of living. Let’s see if calculating the CNA salaries for COL adjustments shakes things up.
Here are the 10 states with the best pay for CNAs:
Adjusting for cost of living really changed up the list!
North Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska jump into the spotlight, kicking New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, D.C., and California off to the sidelines.
How to calculate the adjusted “real” salary
Take the raw average salary data from the BLS and factor in the local cost of living by using Regional Price Parities (RPPs) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). RPP values in the table are the latest available from the BEA and cover all consumption goods and services, including housing rents by state.
By dividing the state’s salary by the RPP index and multiplying it by 100, the purchasing power of a paycheck for CNAs is revealed.
This comparison shows how much the money is worth when compared to a baseline national average.
Do CNAs make good money?
Are CNA average salaries considered “good money”?
That question doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. It’s better answered by considering the following points:
- The startup investment to become a CNA is lower in cost and shorter in time than going straight into a nursing program.
- CNA programs are often completed within 3 months and are significantly lower in cost than a nursing program.
- Many CNA employers are willing to pay for the cost of the CNA program in return for a work commitment.
- CNA jobs also generally pay quite a bit more than minimum wage, which makes them a better financial option than many other entry-level positions in other industries.
That said, you also know that even the highest-paid CNAs in the highest-paying state for CNAs may have a hard time making ends meet.
So, what can CNAs do to earn more?
How to make more money as a CNA
Even if you live in one of the highest-paying states—or one with a highly favorable cost of living—making ends meet on a standard CNA salary can still be a hustle.
The good news is that the initial investment to become a CNA is much lower than that of other medical professions. Because you likely didn't take on massive student debt to get your certification, you are in a great position to leverage your current license into higher earnings.
If you are looking to boost your income, consider the following strategies:
- Upgrade your credentials: Complete a short-term training program to become a certified medication aide (CMA), which often comes with a bump in hourly pay and expanded clinical responsibilities.
- Advance your education: Use your CNA experience as a stepping stone to pursue nursing degrees. Transitioning into a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse role opens the door to significantly higher salary brackets.
- Pivot to higher-paying industries: Research the local job market to find out which facility types—such as specialized rehabilitation centers or government facilities—traditionally offer premium compensation for nursing assistants.
- Relocate to a lucrative state: Take your skills to one of the top-paying states listed above. Before packing your bags, be sure to check which states offer free reciprocity to easily transfer your out-of-state CNA license.
- Pick up PRN shifts: Increase your hourly rate instantly—without having to move or go back to school—by working PRN. Independent PRN shifts consistently offer higher wages than standard staff positions.
You have the power to control your schedule and your paycheck. Choose exactly when and where you work, and start increasing your earnings by picking up PRN CNA jobs in your area. Sign up today.
Sources:
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Tables: BLS
- Real Personal Consumption Expenditures by State and Real Personal Income by State, 2024 | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- May 2025 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: BLS
- Wage and Hour, Alaska Department of Labor
- New York State's Minimum Wage
- District of Columbia Minimum Wage Increase
- Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.10 Per Hour in 2026
