Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in Arizona’s healthcare facilities are nursing professionals dedicated to providing personalized care and improving the quality of life of the patients they work with.
Below is a table with average wages per area of Arizona, including some of the cities and towns in each area:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Most recent data as of October 2023)
As we can observe, CNA hourly wages in Arizona fall mainly between $16.41 and $18.44, depending on the area.
This resource provides publicly available information about average CNA salaries in Arizona. While Nursa currently offers independent contractor CNAs in Arizona the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both regarding per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
What's the Average CNA Pay in the State of Arizona?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual CNA wage in the state of Arizona, compared to the national average wage, is as follows:
- Nationally, the average hourly wage is $17.41, and the mean annual wage is $36,220.
- Arizona's average hourly wage is $18.09, and the mean annual wage is $37,620.
However, not all nursing assistants make the same wages, so the BLS calculates percentile wages to represent the number of CNAs earning within specific ranges. These percentiles show the typical wage range for CNAs in Arizona:
- 90th percentile: $43,620
- 75th percentile: $39,630
- 50th percentile: $37,240
- 25th percentile: $34,520
- 10th percentile: $31,340
For example, the 90th percentile shows that 10 percent of Arizona CNAs earn above $43,620, and the remaining 90 percent earn below this figure. Keep reading to understand more about CNA pay in Arizona and how to make a higher income.
How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make in Arizona?
CNA pay per hour in Arizona varies according to many factors, such as the area in which nursing assistants work. CNAs who pick up jobs in certain settings, such as Medsurg, ICU, and ER, usually earn higher annual incomes.
What Are the Highest-Paying Cities for CNAs in Arizona?
The highest-paying cities in Arizona for nursing assistants are Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Prescott, and Flagstaff, with mean hourly wages above $18.02. However, Nursa connects nursing professionals with even higher pay in Arizona. Browse high-paying per diem CNA jobs in the following Arizona cities:
- CNA Jobs in Phoenix
- CNA Jobs in Gilbert
- CNA Jobs in Sun City West
- CNA Jobs in Tempe
- CNA Jobs in Ash Fork
- CNA Jobs in Marana
- CNA Jobs in Goodyear
- CNA Jobs in Chandler
- CNA Jobs in Mesa
- CNA Jobs in Tucson
- CNA Jobs in Glendale
- CNA Jobs in Scottsdale
How Can I Earn More as a CNA in Arizona?
Many factors influence a CNA's earnings. Here are some of those factors:
- Location: As the table shows, where CNAs work can significantly affect their earnings.
- Healthcare Facility: The work setting—hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.—can affect a CNA’s hourly wage.
- Type of Job: Per diem nurse assistant jobs offer higher hourly pay than staff positions.
What’s the Average Cost of Living in Arizona?
Among other factors, area-specific expenses related to food, transportation, and other necessities, such as healthcare and housing, determine an area's cost of living. Here are some cost of living considerations for Arizona:
Data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator (Most recent information as of October 2023)
Comparing the hourly cost of living in Arizona with the hourly wage for CNAs, we can see that for a CNA to have dependents in the family, such as children or another adult living at home, they must supplement their income to cover basic living expenses. PRN shifts with Nursa are a much-needed option to help CNAs make more money.
Employment and Location Quotient for CNAs in Arizona
Knowing how much you can earn in Arizona may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. Knowing how many CNAs work in a given area can also help you gauge job opportunities.
According to the BLS, 16,690 CNAs are employed in Arizona (5.50 CNAs per 1,000 jobs). The location quotient of CNAs in Arizona (0.62) indicates that the state's concentration is lower than the national average (1). Overall, Arizona healthcare facilities need CNAs to cover available shifts.
How Can I Become a CNA in Arizona?
Becoming a CNA in Arizona is simple. Typically, applicants must do the following, but check with your specific state requirements:
- Complete an approved CNA program with sufficient classroom and practical hours.
- Take the state CNA exam.
- Have proof of legal residency in Arizona.
Here are some top colleges offering CNA training programs in Arizona:
- Phoenix College
- Yavapai College
- Scottsdale Community College
- Cochise County Community College District
- Mesa Community College
- Glendale Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- Coconino Community College
Although certain considerations may affect eligibility, applicants can apply for a CNA license once they meet all the state requirements. If you are already a nursing assistant, you can check your license status through the Arizona State Board of Nursing CNA license lookup tool.
Patient Care Techs in Arizona
Patient care techs (PCTs) are in high demand in healthcare facilities in Arizona.
A PCT is responsible for supporting patients emotionally and physically, assessing each patient's condition, collecting samples, supervising the feeding of patients, and moving patients from one hospital unit to another.
Mean Wages of Other Healthcare Professionals in Arizona
Aside from nursing assistants, Arizona has many other healthcare professionals earning a wide range of mean wages. Here are a few of those professionals and the average annual wages they make in Arizona:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Most recent data as of October 2023)
How Can I Find Per Diem Independent Contractor Jobs near Me?
Nursing assistant jobs are available on Nursa’s open healthcare marketplace. Nursa makes it possible for CNAs to search for jobs in different settings, such as hospitals, hospices, home healthcare, long-term care, assisted living facilities, etc. Browse Nursa today for high-paying CNA jobs.
