Browse salaries by State:

Your Guide to CNA Salary in Virginia [2024]

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Virginia provide unparalleled services in caring for patients. They carry out basic yet essential tasks, making a difference in the quality of patient care. Discover how much CNAs make throughout Virginia in the following table:

Area Average Hourly Wage Average Weekly Wage Average Monthly Wage Average Annual Wage
Washington County-Arlington-Alexandria (Leesburg, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Warranton, Fauquier, Reston, Manassas, Prince William County, Haymarket, Fredericksburg City, Dulles, Chantilly, Clarke County, Berryville, Abingdon) $18.33 $733.20 $3,176.67 $38,120
Charlottesville $16.39 $655.60 $2,840.83 $34,090
Winchester $15.87 $634.80 $2,750.83 $33,010
Richmond (Hopewell, Goochland) $15.79 $631.60 $2,737.50 $32,850
Staunton-Waynesboro $15.77 $630.80 $2,732.50 $32,790
Harrisonburg $15.60 $624.00 $2,704.17 $32,450
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford (Pulaski) $15.30 $612.00 $2,652.50 $31,830
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area (Clifton Forge) $15.30 $612.00 $2,651.67 $31,820
Roanoke (Salem) $15.19 $607.60 $2,633.33 $31,600
Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area (Westmoreland County, Colonial Beach) $15.15 $606.00 $2,626.67 $31,520
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News $15.13 $605.20 $2622.50 $31,470
Lynchburg (Amherst) $14.93 $597.20 $2588.33 $31,060
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area (Wythe, Rural Retreat, Norton, Marion, Lee County, Pennington Gap) $14.41 $576.40 $2497.50 $29,970

This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average CNA salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Virginia (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor CNAs in Virginia 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.

What’s the Average CNA Salary in the State of Virginia?

Virginia’s average CNA hourly wage is $15.90, and the annual mean wage is $33,070. This income is lower than the national average for nursing assistants, which is $17.41 per hour or $36,220 per year.

Although the national annual mean wage is higher than the Virginia average, it is essential to note that many factors influence the pay for nursing professionals and thus can make CNAs earn more or less. For example, some aspects that significantly affect income are the following:

  • Setting: A certified nursing assistant may earn different wages depending on the kind of facility they choose to work in, whether it is a hospital, a nursing home, etc.
  • Type of Job: Per diem or PRN CNAs tend to have higher hourly wages than staff nursing assistants.
  • Location: Some parts of Virginia have higher wages depending on whether they are rural or urban, the region’s cost of living, and more. 

All these factors influence the income of CNAs and can help them earn more.

How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make in Virginia?

Although the average nursing assistant wage in Virginia provides a valuable frame of reference, pay varies significantly due to the abovementioned factors. The following percentiles show the typical range of CNA wages in Virginia:

Percentile National Annual Wage Virginia Annual Wage National Hourly Wage Virginia Hourly Wage
10% $28,030 $24,130 $13.48 $11.60
25% $30,770 $29,140 $14.79 $14.01
Median (50%) $35,760 $32,620 $17.19 $15.69
75% $39,260 $33,610 $18.87 $17.60
90% $45,940 $40,210 $22.09 $19.33

The data shows that 50 percent of CNAs typically make up to $32,620 per year or $15.69 per hour in Virginia, whereas the highest-earning 10 percent make over $40,210 per year or $19.33 per hour. However, most healthcare facilities pay PRN CNAs higher hourly wages than those in this table.

Living Wage in Virginia

Cost of living considerations are just as important as potential income. The following table gives CNAs an idea of how much they must earn in Virginia per hour working full-time to cover basic living expenses:

Single Adult / No Children Single Adult / One Child Two Adults (One Working) / No Children Two Adults (One Working) / One Child
Living Wage
$19.04 $38.12 $28.74 $35.62

Per diem jobs allow CNAs to work one shift at a time, earn higher hourly wages, and gain experience working in different areas as they move from one location to another.

How Can I Become a CNA in Virginia?

You can become a CNA in the state of Virginia and earn a substantial annual income.

Aspiring CNAs can choose from a range of CNA programs that the Virginia Board of Nursing approves. After candidates complete a CNA program, generally including 120 hours of education, of which 40 hours or more are clinical practice, they can take the National Nurse Aide Assessment. After passing the test, successful candidates can apply for a nurse aide license. CNAs can look up the status of their licenses through the Virginia CNA license lookup service by providing their license number or personal data.

An active license allows CNAs to find all kinds of high-paying CNA jobs in Virginia, including PRN or per diem jobs with higher-than-average hourly wages. Become a CNA today, and find great job options with Nursa.

Patient Care Tech (PCT) Jobs in Virginia

Patient care technician (PCT) jobs are in high demand in hospitals throughout Virginia. Some of the roles and responsibilities of PCTs include the following:

  • Collecting samples
  • Assessing the condition of each patient, including their physical and emotional well-being
  • Supervising the patient
  • Moving the patient when necessary
  • Measuring blood pressure and temperature
CNAs in Virginia can spend time in several lush national parks on their days off work.

How Can I Find PRN Independent Contractor CNA Jobs Near Me?

Knowing how much you can earn in Virginia may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment.

To find high-paying jobs in Virginia, CNAs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs) can turn to Nursa, which allows them to connect with all kinds of per diem gigs in Virginia, including jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home healthcare. CNAs can find available shifts in different cities and regions of Virginia:

These are just some of the most popular regions where CNAs can find high-paying jobs. Nursing assistants deserve and need higher wages. Find high-paying per diem CNA jobs with Nursa today.

Briefcase purple icon

Pick Up a Job Today

Find per diem PRN job opportunities in your area. High paying CNA, LPN and RN and many more are now available now.

Join Nursa
Building Purple Icon

Post Your Jobs Today

Facilities who use Nursa fill 3 times as many open per diem shifts, on average, compared to trying to fill the shifts themselves.

Post Jobs
Nursa is no 1 mobile app for clinicians

Download the App Now

App store Button
Google Play button