How much do CNAs make in the state of Nevada? This resource will provide certified nursing assistants with the information they seek about how much they can make and what it costs to live in Nevada.
This resource provides publicly available information about average CNA salaries in Nevada. While Nursa currently offers independent contractor CNAs in Nevada 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 in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
Keep reading to learn about earning potential in different cities and the average wages of other healthcare professionals in Nevada. Additionally, this resource guide provides information about how to become a CNA in Nevada and the roles and responsibilities of nursing assistants and patient care techs (PCTs).
What Is the Role of a CNA?
To begin, let’s define the duties of a nursing assistant. Above all, CNAs perform nursing care tasks for their patients daily. The tasks they perform have to do with the personal care of the patients, e.g., help with dressing, tending to personal hygiene, feeding, etc. Furthermore, CNAs must be attentive to their patients and treat them with the respect and care they deserve, in addition to monitoring their vital signs and taking note of any changes that could affect their health. Undoubtedly, thanks to the work of CNAs, patients can feel more comfortable and cared for.
How Can I Become a CNA in Nevada?
With certain exceptions, most applicants must take CNA classes approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing, apply for certification, and take the official CNA examination. After obtaining certification, CNAs can work in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities.
Some nursing schools that offer programs for aspiring CNAs in Nevada include the following:
- Western Nevada College
- Great Basin College
- College of Southern Nevada
- Perry Foundation Academy of Health
- Saint Therese Learning Institute
Of course, there are many other CNA programs in Nevada, most of which are in the Las Vegas area. Interestingly, in Nevada, the length of programs varies. Some programs train applicants during high school to obtain their licenses to work as CNAs after graduation.
Are you already a CNA? Check your license status with the Nevada CNA license lookup service here.
What’s the Average CNA Pay in the State of Nevada?
Nowadays, the mean wage for CNAs in Nevada is $41,110 annually or $19.77 hourly, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This income is higher than the national average of $36,220 annually or $17.41 per hour.
Although the average wage for CNAs in Nevada is higher than the national average, income can vary significantly, which is why the BLS expresses wages for each state in percentiles, reflecting the number of CNAs earning within specific ranges. Accordingly, in Nevada, the pay range for CNAs is as follows:
- 90th percentile: $56,620
- 75th percentile: $45,130
- 50th percentile: $38,540
- 25th percentile: $34,510
- 10th percentile: $30,730
According to these percentiles, most CNAs earn between $30,730 and $56,620 annually. Ten percent of CNAs in Nevada earn less than $30,730 per year; the remaining 90 percent earn above this figure. Similarly, 10 percent of CNAs in Nevada earn above $56,620 per year, and the remaining 90 percent earn below this figure.
How Much Do CNAs Make in Nevada Compared to Other States?
As mentioned above, the average wage for CNAs in Nevada is higher than the national average. Another comparison worth making is to compare the average CNA pay in Nevada to pay in surrounding states, as in the following table:
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Most recent data as of October 2023)
In other words, Nevada’s CNAs still make more money than most of those in the surrounding states and the average nursing assistant nationwide. Additionally, states like Oregon and California that offer higher wages than Nevada still don’t pay significantly more, driving Nevada’s pay to one of the highest in the area.
How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make in Nevada per Hour?
The average hourly wage of a certified nursing assistant is $19.77 in Nevada. However, this hourly wage can vary significantly depending on the region.
The BLS divides Nevada into four main areas: Reno, Carson City, the Nevada Nonmetropolitan Area, and the tri-city area of Las Vegas, Henderson, and Paradise. Each area includes different counties encompassing various cities and towns. Below is a table showing the various cities and towns where high-paying PRN (pro re nata) jobs are available for CNAs, as well as the average wages for each of these areas:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Most recent data as of October 2023)
Below are some of the highest-paying cities offering per diem nurse assistant jobs in Nevada:
- CNA Jobs in Henderson
- CNA Jobs in Las Vegas
- CNA Jobs in Mesquite
- CNA Jobs in Carson City
- CNA Jobs in North Las Vegas
- CNA Jobs in Boulder City
These PRN or per diem jobs offer higher-than-average CNA wages per hour. Therefore, these shifts can help you significantly increase your income—whether you pick them up on the side of a staff position or work per diem CNA shifts on a full-time basis.
How Can I Earn More as a CNA in Nevada?
All in all, many factors influence the income of certified nursing assistants, for example, the location of the job, the type of healthcare facility, and the type of CNA job. As mentioned, per diem jobs offer higher hourly wages than staff positions.
Overall, there are many advantages of pick up PRN shifts. Here are some of these advantages:
- A higher hourly wage: Wages can be higher for per diem shifts than for staff positions due to the urgency with which facilities need to cover shifts and the fact that facilities do not provide employee benefits to per diem CNAs.
- Flexibility to choose schedules: CNAs can choose their schedules and simply not pick up inconvenient shifts.
- Increased work experience and flexibility: CNAs working per diem jobs have the advantage of constantly getting to know new and different settings, thus gaining flexibility and expertise that is a plus when it comes to getting other jobs.
With all these factors, nursing assistants can undoubtedly achieve better hourly rates and improve their income in the long run when picking up per diem CNA jobs in Nevada.
What is the Cost of Living in Nevada?
Undoubtedly, cost of living considerations are essential in assessing potential wages. CNAs must look for creative ways to make ends meet when the hourly wage is meager. In Nevada, the average living wage compared to the mean hourly wage for CNAs is as follows:
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator (Most recent information as of October 2023)
In Nevada, single CNAs can cover basic living expenses with the average income. However, CNAs with children or other dependents must find ways to supplement their income. It is essential to get better hourly wages and thus be able to live with peace of mind regardless of family composition—this is where PRN shifts come in.
How Many CNAs Are There in Nevada?
Knowing how much you can earn in Nevada may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. Furthermore, knowing how many CNAs work in Nevada can help you get an idea of the job opportunities in the state.
According to the BLS, 7,480 CNAs are currently working in Nevada. In other words, for every 1,000 jobs, there are 5.29 CNAs. Furthermore, the location quotient of CNAs in Nevada is 0.60. The location quotient (LQ) shows a low percentage of CNAs in Nevada compared to the national level. An LQ of less than one indicates a lower concentration of CNAs than the national average. Therefore, nursing assistants are in high demand in Nevada, and getting jobs should be relatively easy, as healthcare facilities in the state constantly require more nursing assistants.
What Are Patient Care Techs (PCTs)?
Patient care technicians (PCTs) are medical technicians who may provide specialized care to assist patients in areas such as disease prevention, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performing and understanding an electrocardiogram (EKG), phlebotomy, and basic laboratory procedures. PCTs can find jobs in hospitals throughout Nevada. It is a profession that many individuals use to enter the healthcare field and then advance to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs).
Salaries of Other Healthcare Professions in Nevada
In the following table, we compare the wages of CNAs with those of other healthcare professionals in Nevada:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Most recent data as of October 2023)
How to Find PRN Independent Contractor CNA Jobs in Nevada
Nurse assistant jobs are easy to come by in Nevada. Due to the high demand, high-paying per diem CNA jobs are plentiful. With Nursa, CNAs can connect with various healthcare facilities. Whether CNAs are looking for jobs in hospitals or other settings, such as long-term care facilities or home healthcare, they can increase their certified nursing assistant income in Nevada by picking up jobs with Nursa.
