Idaho is an excellent option for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and patient care techs (PCTs) since the Gem State has plenty of healthcare job opportunities. Furthermore, the different hospitals and other healthcare centers throughout the state offer a competitive average salary for CNAs.
The following chart shows the mean wage for CNAs in Idaho by metropolitan area:
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average CNA salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Idaho (most recent information as of February 2024). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor CNAs in Idaho 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 Salary in the State of Idaho?
Idaho has an average annual wage of $35,560 for CNAs. However, the range of payment varies. The following list shows the typical range of CNA wages in percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $29,230
- 25th percentile: $31,320
- 50th percentile: $35,500
- 75th percentile: $37,810
- 90th percentile: $44,220
These figures indicate the percentage of CNAs earning less than the stated amount. For example, 10 percent of the CNAs in Idaho earn less than $29,230, and 90 percent earn more.
How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make in Idaho?
A nursing assistant’s salary in Idaho is around 2 percent lower than the national average. Nevertheless, the compensation a PCT or CNA can earn varies throughout the state. Pay can also differ from one type of healthcare facility to another. For example, CNAs tend to earn more working in hospitals than in home healthcare services. Another way CNAs can earn high wages is by working in specialties such as Medsurg, ICU, and ER.
How Much Do CNAs Make in Idaho?
The Gem State has excellent projections for the upcoming years since the estimated growth of nurse assistant jobs is 18 percent until 2030. The average CNA salary in Idaho is $17.10 per hour. However, CNAs in the state have different ways to earn a higher payment. Looking for per diem CNA jobs in Idaho is the best way to find higher wages while maintaining flexibility and work-life balance. With these jobs, you can make extra money in your free time or work per diem full-time. Look for per diem CNA or PCT hospital jobs in the following cities of Idaho:
Cost of Living Considerations in Idaho
After reviewing how much CNAs can earn in Idaho’s different areas and cities, you may wonder whether your nursing assistant pay is enough to live on or if it’s necessary to work extra hours. Therefore, explaining the basic living costs in the Gem State is essential.
If you live alone and don’t have dependents, you must earn $21.33 per hour working full-time. Furthermore, if you have a partner and only one of you works, it is necessary to make $30.11 per hour, and finally, if you and your partner work, both must earn $15.05 per hour to cover your basic expenses in Idaho.
These costs do not include the added expense of having children or other dependents.
Highest-Paying Cities in Idaho
Idaho has numerous cities that welcome CNAs with excellent compensation. Cities like Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell have plenty of job opportunities. In addition, the Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene metropolitan areas offer the highest wages in the state.
CNA Employment by Area
Knowing how much you can earn in Idaho may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. Now, let’s find out which metropolitan areas have more job opportunities for certified nursing assistants. The following chart shows CNA employment and location quotient (LQ) by area in the Gem State:
Perhaps you are wondering, “What does a location quotient mean?” The location quotient represents the concentration of an industry in an area compared with the national average, which is one. Therefore, an LQ above or below one means a higher or lower concentration of a profession in a given area than the national average.
How Can I Become a CNA in Idaho?
CNAs are an essential part of the healthcare system. They help nurses and physicians with many tasks, such as taking vitals, attending call lights, and assisting patients with their daily activities, among other things. In addition, they are in direct and constant interaction with patients, which means they also offer patients company and moral support.
Once you are sure you want to become a CNA or PCT, you must choose a nursing assistant program. Many places in Idaho offer CNA training. However, you need to check the Department of Health and Welfare list for approved programs to avoid problems getting on the Idaho CNA registry and practicing in the state.
CNA classes in Idaho usually last around 12 weeks, but some programs could last four weeks. These programs have theoretical and clinical hours.
The costs vary, and some programs are even free. Nevertheless, the medical centers that offer free programs may require CNAs to work for them in compensation for the training.
After completing your program and meeting all its requirements, you must check which additional state requirements you need for your Idaho CNA certification. Furthermore, when you finish the process, you can use this lookup tool for CNA license verification in Idaho.
What Are Per Diem Independent Contractor Jobs?
When you choose per diem jobs, you become an independent contractor, meaning you must pay self-employment taxes and find healthcare insurance. However, you decide where and when to work since you choose the shifts you want in the hospitals or other facilities you like.
Working per diem has various benefits for CNAs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). First, you can pick up these shifts when you have extra time to earn an additional income, or if you work per diem full-time, you can put together your schedule and work as much as you want.
With per diem shifts, you will earn more money per hour and have the flexibility you desire. These jobs offer fixed-time contracts—typically a single shift—so you don’t have to work in a facility again if you don’t have a good experience. On the other hand, if you enjoy working at a facility, you can continue to pick up available shifts there and maybe even end up working there full-time.
How Can I Find CNA Jobs in Idaho?
Nursa makes finding per diem jobs easy. Access to this open nurse market allows you to connect with various job opportunities at different facilities near you. Within minutes, you can sign up with Nursa, complete your professional profile, upload your license for verification, and look for per diem jobs near you.
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