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How much does a Certified Nursing Assistant make?

The average salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant is $41,090 per year in the US.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential care to patients in various healthcare settings. The average yearly salary for CNAs stands at around $41,090. This figure is the midpoint in a range of salaries, influenced by experience, location, and specific employment setting.

The salary distribution shows that many CNAs earn between $26,000 and $59,618 per year. The most common salary range for CNAs is between $35,169 and $41,281 annually. This range accounts for a significant portion of CNAs, making it a typical income bracket for those in the profession. Higher salaries often correlate with more experience and advanced certifications.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Job seekers looking for high pay as a Certified Nursing Assistant should consider cities like San Jose and San Francisco in California. Both cities offer above-average salaries for this profession. Other cities with competitive pay include Vallejo, Santa Rosa, and Salinas. California cities dominate the list of highest-paying areas, with several spots going to cities in the state. Washington, DC, also provides a strong salary for CNAs. Seattle, Washington, offers good pay, too, though not as high as California cities. Other notable mentions include Riverside, Visalia, and Santa Maria, all in California.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Certified Nursing Assistant jobs, highlighting San Jose, CA with the highest at $67,064 and Washington, DC with the lowest at $52,319.
  1. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $67,064
    San Jose offers abundant opportunities for those in healthcare. With top companies like Kaiser Permanente and Stanford Health Care, job seekers can expect competitive benefits and career growth.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $63,893
    San Francisco provides a vibrant environment for healthcare workers. At companies like UCSF Health and UCSF Medical Center, Certified Nursing Assistants receive comprehensive training and professional development.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Vallejo, CA
    Average Salary: $62,845
    In Vallejo, Certified Nursing Assistants can expect a supportive work environment. The city's healthcare facilities, including Kaiser Permanente, offer solid job security and good benefits.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Vallejo, CA


  4. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $61,142
    Santa Rosa has a growing demand for healthcare professionals. Job seekers will find positions at renowned facilities such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, providing a stable career path.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  5. Salinas, CA
    Average Salary: $58,245
    Salinas offers a mix of community-focused healthcare services. At local hospitals such as Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, Certified Nursing Assistants enjoy a supportive work environment.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Salinas, CA


  6. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $55,062
    Seattle's healthcare sector is robust and expanding. Job seekers can find positions at prominent companies like Seattle Children's Hospital and Virginia Mason Medical Center, offering excellent career growth.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Seattle, WA


  7. Riverside, CA
    Average Salary: $53,736
    Riverside provides a thriving healthcare market. Local employers like Loma Linda University Medical Center offer excellent training and career advancement opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistants.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA


  8. Visalia, CA
    Average Salary: $52,629
    Visalia offers a close-knit community environment for healthcare workers. At major facilities such as Kaweah Delta Health Care District, Certified Nursing Assistants benefit from supportive colleagues and good benefits.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Visalia, CA


  9. Santa Maria, CA
    Average Salary: $52,437
    Santa Maria features a welcoming healthcare environment. At places like Marian Regional Medical Center, job seekers can expect a supportive work culture and opportunities for professional growth.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Santa Maria, CA


  10. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $52,319
    In Washington, DC, healthcare workers enjoy a dynamic professional environment. Major employers like MedStar Health and George Washington University Hospital offer excellent benefits and opportunities for career advancement.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Washington, DC

What are the best companies a Certified Nursing Assistant can work for?

For those seeking a Certified Nursing Assistant job with competitive pay, John Muir Health offers one of the highest average salaries at $82,408 annually. Montage Health and Stanford Health Care also provide attractive compensation packages, with average salaries reaching $73,537 and $72,277 respectively. Job seekers can look to these top employers to find rewarding career opportunities with solid financial benefits.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Certified Nursing Assistant jobs, highlighting John Muir Health with the highest at $82,408 and CareerStaff Unlimited with the lowest at $63,578.
  1. John Muir Health
    Average Salary: $82,408
    John Muir Health offers a rewarding environment for Certified Nursing Assistants. They provide care in multiple locations throughout California. Their dedication to patient care leads to higher-than-average salaries for CNAs.


  2. Montage Health
    Average Salary: $73,537
    At Montage Health, Certified Nursing Assistants play a key role in patient care. They serve locations in California, offering competitive salaries and a supportive work culture. CNAs here benefit from a positive workplace.


  3. Stanford Health Care
    Average Salary: $72,277
    Stanford Health Care provides excellent opportunities for CNAs in California. Their commitment to high-quality care results in good salaries for their nursing assistants. They operate several facilities in the state.


  4. University of California - San Francisco
    Average Salary: $71,702
    The University of California - San Francisco offers rewarding positions for CNAs. They provide care at multiple locations across California. Their research-oriented approach and patient care lead to attractive salaries.


  5. University Of Washington
    Average Salary: $69,364
    At the University of Washington, CNAs enjoy competitive salaries. They work in various locations in Washington State. The university's focus on patient care and education provides a supportive environment for CNAs.


  6. MAS Medical Staffing
    Average Salary: $66,322
    MAS Medical Staffing offers diverse opportunities for CNAs. They work in many locations across the country. Their staffing model helps CNAs find roles that match their skills and preferences.


  7. Hospital for Special Surgery
    Average Salary: $64,933
    The Hospital for Special Surgery provides specialized care for CNAs in New York. Their focus on orthopedics and rehabilitation creates a dynamic work environment. CNAs here enjoy competitive salaries and professional growth.


  8. Valley Medical Center
    Average Salary: $64,743
    Valley Medical Center offers rewarding positions for CNAs in Washington State. Their commitment to patient care results in good salaries. CNAs here benefit from a supportive and inclusive workplace.


  9. Children's National Hospital
    Average Salary: $63,896
    Children's National Hospital provides excellent opportunities for CNAs in Washington, D.C. They focus on pediatric care, offering a unique and rewarding work environment. Their commitment to young patients leads to competitive salaries for CNAs.


  10. CareerStaff Unlimited
    Average Salary: $63,578
    CareerStaff Unlimited offers diverse opportunities for CNAs across the country. Their staffing solutions help CNAs find roles that match their skills and career goals. The company supports professional growth and competitive salaries.

How to earn more as a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a vital role in healthcare. They support nurses and doctors by providing essential patient care. If a CNA aims to earn more, consider these strategies. Focusing on professional development and experience can lead to better-paying opportunities.

The following factors can help increase a CNA's earnings:

  1. Advance Your Education. Taking additional courses can lead to higher-paying jobs. For example, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) often results in a significant pay increase.
  2. Gain More Experience. Working in different healthcare settings can lead to higher-paying positions. More experience often means more skills and a higher salary.
  3. Specialize in a Field. Areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, or home health may offer higher pay. Specializing can make a CNA more valuable to employers.
  4. Seek Overtime Opportunities. Hospitals and clinics may offer overtime shifts, which can increase income. Working extra hours can lead to higher earnings without needing a new job.
  5. Network and Seek Promotions. Building connections within the industry can lead to better job opportunities. Promotions often come with higher salaries.

Currently 11,508 Certified Nursing Assistant job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Certified Nursing Assistant in the US?

Learn what a Certified Nursing Assistant does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Certified Nursing Assistant today.
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Certified Nursing Assistant
11,508 Job Openings