CNA salary state by state [Updated September 2025]
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in the United States make an average of $19.84 per hour or a yearly salary of $41,270.
Most CNAs are paid biweekly, meaning they receive two paychecks per month. Based on a national average CNA salary of $41,270 annually, this works out to approximately $3,439 per month or about $1,720 biweekly.
What is the median CNA salary nationwide?
The median CNA annual wage is $39,430 or $18.96 per hour. This means 50 percent of nursing assistants nationwide make more than this figure, and 50 percent make less.
However, numerous factors determine CNA pay, from the state and city where nursing assistants work to the time of their shifts.
This ultimate guide to certified nursing assistant pay covers everything there is to know about CNA income:
- How much do CNAs get paid in different states? (What’s the average CNA hourly wage in California? How much do certified nursing assistants make in New York?)
- Can CNAs earn overtime pay?
- What is the average CNA salary for entry-level vs. experienced?
- What factors influence a CNA’s salary the most?
Find the answers to these questions and more in this state-by-state guide to CNA salary.
Wage data regarding states, metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas, and industries comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and only represents averages for employed CNAs.
What is a CNA?
Certified nursing assistants are essential members of healthcare teams. They provide basic care and assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as feeding, toileting, bathing, and grooming. CNAs typically work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs).
The terms “certified nursing assistant,” “CNA,” and “nurse aide” refer to the same role in most states.
What is the difference between CNA pay and nurse aide salary?
Since these terms can be used interchangeably, salary data in this article reflects wages for both titles.
What is the average CNA salary by state in 2025?
Would you like to know how much nursing assistants make hourly or yearly in your state?
Here is a certified nurse aide salary comparison by state, including the District of Columbia:
CNA salary and cost of living comparison
When evaluating CNA pay across different states, it’s essential to consider not only the average wage but also how far a nurse assistant’s salary stretches in each location.
The cost of living—which reflects housing, transportation, groceries, and other necessary expenses—varies widely from state to state. For a true understanding of CNA purchasing power, it’s helpful to compare cost-adjusted salaries, which show what each state's average CNA wage is really worth after accounting for local expenses.
The table below displays each state’s average annual CNA wage, the latest Regional Price Parity (RPP) index from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (where 100 equals the national average), and the cost-adjusted annual wage. The adjusted figure demonstrates what the average CNA pay would be if the cost of living were the same everywhere in the U.S.
How to use the table
A higher cost-adjusted annual wage suggests CNAs have greater purchasing power in that state, even if the raw salary seems lower.
For instance, while states like California and New York offer high average wages, their high cost of living reduces the true value of those wages compared to states with lower costs.
*Method notes: Calculations use full-precision 2023 Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Parities Pricing displayed to one decimal. RPP values are the latest available from the BEA and cover all consumption goods and services, including housing rents by state. Cost-adjusted wages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Highest-paid CNAs in 2025
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average annual wage for CNAs is $41,270. However, the average annual CNA salary covers a wide range of income groups. For example, the highest-paid 10 percent earn over $50,140 annually.
In the following sections, you’ll find the answers to these questions and more:
- Which states pay the highest CNA salaries?
- How do CNA salaries vary by city?
- What industries pay CNAs the most?
Which are the highest-paying states for CNAs?
When predicting nursing assistant income, the state where a CNA works is one of the most illuminating factors. Here’s how much CNAs make an hour and annually in the top 10 best-paying states for CNAs:
Which are the highest-paying cities for CNA jobs?
Are you considering packing your bags and traveling to one of the highest-paying states for CNAs?
Then, you’ll want to know which specific areas within these states offer certified nursing assistants the highest average salaries. The following are the average pay rates in the top 10 highest-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for CNAs:
Which are the highest-paying CNA jobs by industry?
Location is not the only factor determining CNA earning potential. Nursing assistant pay varies by facility type, and CNA salary is also different in government vs. private sectors. In fact, CNAs can earn more than double in some sectors than they can in others. Therefore, CNA wage differences by industry can be even more significant than by state.
Take a look at the top 15 CNA salaries by healthcare industry:
How much do CNAs make working in hospitals vs. nursing homes?
The median annual wages for CNAs working in hospitals vs. nursing homes are as follows:
- Hospitals (state, local, and private): $40,170
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities): $39,170
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly: $38,500
Clearly, hospitals are higher-paying settings for CNAs. However, more nursing assistants work in nursing care facilities than in hospitals.
Here is the breakdown of the top employment settings for CNAs nationwide:
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities): 35%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 33%
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly: 11%
What is the starting salary for a CNA?
If you’re just starting your career as a certified nursing assistant, it’s important to understand that entry-level salary can vary significantly depending on location and the type of healthcare facility or industry you choose.
Factors such as cost of living, regional demand for CNAs, and the specific healthcare sector (for example, hospitals, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics) all play a role in determining starting pay.
In most cases, entry-level CNAs tend to earn within the lower end of the CNA salary spectrum. The following table shows the annual salary for the lowest-paid 10 percent of CNAs by state, which is a helpful indicator of the CNA starting pay rates across the country. These figures can help you set realistic expectations for starting pay as you begin your CNA journey, and also assist you in comparing entry-level opportunities in different states.
CNAs in the lowest-paid 10 percent by state make up to the following figures:
What is the minimum wage for nursing assistants?
The lowest-earning 10 percent of CNAs earn $15.09 hourly or less, which is lower than some states’ minimum wage (MW) but higher than the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
The following table indicates the average hourly rates for CNAs in each state compared with each state’s minimum wage.
*Some states, like MT, NJ, NY, OH, and OR, have region-based or special-case minimums.
**Where there is no state minimum wage or where the minimum wage is lower than the federal, the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr is shown.
Even in the lowest-paying states for CNAs, nursing assistants can expect to earn significantly more than the minimum wage in their states.
How does a CNA salary compare to an LPN salary?
Certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) both play vital roles in patient care, but the difference in education requirements, responsibilities, and compensation is significant.
The average CNA salary in the United States is $41,270 per year, or about $19.84 per hour. In contrast, LPNs earn an average of $64,150 annually, or $30.84 per hour.
This means that, on average, LPNs make about $22,880 more per year than CNAs, and $11 more per hour. The higher pay for LPNs reflects their additional responsibilities, such as administering medication, performing certain medical procedures, and taking on supervisory duties—all of which require specific training and state licensure.
While both roles are essential to the healthcare system, becoming an LPN offers a clear pathway to higher wages and broader career opportunities.
If you’re interested in learning more about LPN pay, read our complete LPN salary guide here.
Part-time vs. full-time CNA salary differences
How much do CNAs make working part-time? How does a CNA salary differ between full-time and part-time?
The difference between part-time and full-time CNA salaries often comes down to total hours worked and eligibility for benefits.
Full-time CNAs generally earn a higher total annual income since they work more hours per week and may have access to health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits.
Part-time CNAs are paid the same hourly rate as full-time staff in most settings, but their overall earnings are lower due to fewer scheduled hours. However, part-time roles can offer flexibility for those balancing work with school or family obligations. Some facilities may also pay a slightly higher rate for part-time shifts to cover staffing needs, but benefits are typically limited.
Is the CNA salary increasing in 2025?
The average salary of a nurse assistant has been increasing over the past several years; therefore, this salary trend is expected to continue. The BLS won’t publish its wage averages for 2025 until the second quarter of 2026; however, CNA salary growth trends can be estimated based on the previous years’ increases:
- Average CNA annual wage in 2022: $36,220
- Average CNA annual wage in 2023: $39,610
- Average CNA annual wage in 2024: $41,270
The HCS Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report, released in July 2022, found that nursing aides working at nursing homes—the healthcare setting that employs the largest percentage of CNAs—had seen a pay raise of 11 percent from $15.23 in 2021 to $16.87 in 2022. Interestingly, turnover rates continued to be high despite the salary increase.
Although high turnover rates typically indicate job dissatisfaction, the good news is that healthcare facilities are continuously looking for CNAs. Overall, there is evidence for both an increase in the average state-by-state CNA salary and job growth in 2025.
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How to negotiate a higher CNA salary or pay rate
While many CNA wages are determined by industry standards and facility budgets, there are steps you can take to advocate for a higher salary:
- Before negotiating, research local pay rates for CNAs in your area and gather data from reputable sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Highlight your relevant certifications, experience, positive performance reviews, and any specialized skills (such as bilingual abilities or expertise in particular care settings).
- When discussing your salary as a CNA, focus on your unique value and contributions to the team, maintain a positive and professional tone, and be prepared to discuss shift differentials, overtime pay rates, or additional responsibilities as avenues for increased compensation.
Remember, preparation and confidence are key to a successful negotiation.
What increases the salary of CNA jobs?
Considering that it is possible to train as a certified nursing assistant in as little as four weeks and that CNAs earn more than minimum wage regardless of the state where they work, it is safe to say that CNAs make relatively good money.
However, you naturally still want to know, “How can I increase my CNA salary?”
Pursuing higher education
CNAs earn a good income in relation to the investment required for certification. However, the higher the level of education, the higher the pay. Therefore, those CNAs who want to continue working in the nursing field long term should consider transitioning to RNs.
Click here to learn all about RN salary.
The good news is that the time you spend working as a CNA is by no means time lost because it can give you the necessary first-hand experience to decide if nursing is the best career choice for you.
Furthermore, a 2016 study found that RNs with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees who previously worked as CNAs had higher entry-level salaries (between $3,400 and $7,700 more per year) than those without this health-related work experience.
In other words, working as a CNA on your way to becoming an RN is a very smart financial move.
In the shorter term, earning additional certifications—such as medication aide, EKG technician, or phlebotomy—can further increase a CNA’s income potential, opening up higher-paying opportunities within healthcare facilities.
Taking advantage of shift differentials
How does shift work affect CNA salaries?
CNAs who work non-standard hours, such as nights, weekends, or holidays, typically make more money than their counterparts working day shifts Monday through Friday.
What is the pay rate for CNAs working night shifts?
Shift differentials can boost CNA salaries, especially for night or weekend shifts. For example, CNAs working night shifts may earn $1–$3 more per hour than daytime rates, depending on the facility and location.
Nursing assistants can take advantage of these shift differentials to make the same amount of money or even higher CNA wages working fewer hours.
Working overtime
CNAs can also increase their earnings by working overtime.
Federal labor law requires employers to pay at least time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a week, making overtime an attractive source of additional income for many CNAs.
Going for travel CNA pay and benefits
Travel CNAs take on temporary assignments at healthcare facilities experiencing short-term staffing needs, sometimes out of state.
How much do CNA travel nurses earn?
These professionals are typically paid a significantly higher hourly wage than staff CNAs and often receive housing stipends or travel reimbursement.
Picking up PRN shifts
Another smart financial move is to pick up PRN jobs for nursing assistants.
Working per diem has many advantages besides significantly higher hourly rates.
- First, if you work as a CNA while in nursing school, you will appreciate the flexibility that per diem work offers: You can pick up shifts around your school schedule, take time off to study during exams, and work full time over school breaks.
- Secondly, per diem CNA work doesn’t tie you to a specific facility. If you enjoy working at a facility, you can request more shifts there and even accept a full-time position. On the other hand, if you hate a facility, you never have to go back.
Want to know what the hourly wage for a per diem CNA is?
Explore hourly wages for per diem CNA shifts near you.
Is becoming a CNA worth it?
CNAs can earn higher salaries if they work in certain cities or states, such as Oregon or Washington.
Compared with other healthcare positions, working as a CNA does not offer a very high salary. However, it is arguably the best way to enter the nursing profession. Here are some reasons why:
- You can complete CNA training in as little as four weeks, and the training could even be free.
- Working as CNAs gives aspiring nurses valuable first-hand information about the nursing profession and working in healthcare overall.
- CNAs can easily find flexible and high-paying per diem shifts.
- CNAs who decide to complete BSN degrees can significantly increase their entry-level pay as registered nurses thanks to their previous work experience in healthcare.
Since this ultimate guide focuses on salary, the tips to increase your salary naturally gravitate toward continuing your studies and completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN. To get the highest possible salary in the nursing field, consider pursuing one of the highest-paying nurse specialties.
Compare the salaries of different nursing professionals here.
If you do not want to become a nurse and are content with CNA pay, know that your job is incredibly valuable. You light up so many people’s days with your company and care. Here at Nursa, we want you to know that we see you, appreciate you, and thank you for all you do.
Sign up with Nursa to work on your own terms, picking up high-paying PRN shifts when and where you want.
Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Department of Labor: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table
- Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Parities Pricing
- Becker’s Hospital Review: Nursing home RNs, nurses aides averaging 11% pay increase, survey finds
