Becoming a CNA is a rewarding job that gives you an entry into healthcare. However, a job also has to help pay the bills. Before you commit to a training program, it’s important to know what CNAs really earn and what affects your pay.
In May of 2024, the average pay for nursing assistants was $19.00 per hour, or $39,530 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Because CNA wages rise slightly each year, new CNAs starting in 2026 can expect to earn around $ 38,000-41,000-per year.
The pay differences really depend on the state, the size of the city, and the type of facility. For example, when I moved from Massachusetts to Tennessee, my hourly pay went down, but the cost of living was also much lower than in Massachusetts.
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Average CNA Salary in the U.S.
To understand CNA pay, it helps to know which numbers you can trust and why different websites show different amounts.
What the BLS Reports
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the median yearly wage for nursing assistants was $39,530 in May 2024.
The median means half of CNAs earned more than that amount and half earned less.
- Lowest 10% earned under $31,390
- Highest 10% earned over $50,140
The BLS is the most reliable source because employers report the data, it follows national standards, and it’s updated the same way every year.
What Job Boards Report
Job sites like Indeed show higher numbers. According to Indeed, CNAs in the U.S. make:
- Average base salary: $45,774 per year
- Typical range: $33,156-$63,194
- Average overtime: about $4,500 per year
This doesn’t mean the BLS is wrong; the numbers are different because the sources collect data in different ways.
Why the Numbers Don’t Always Match
You’ll see CNA salaries listed anywhere from $32,000 to $46,000+. Here’s why:
- Median vs. mean: BLS uses the median. Job boards use the average, which gets pulled up by higher earners.
- Different data sources: BLS surveys employers. Job boards use job postings and self-reported wages.
- Overtime and bonuses: BLS does not include overtime or shift differentials. Job boards often do.
- State differences: A national average mixes high-pay states with low-pay states, which may not match your local market.
- Bottom line: Use BLS numbers as your realistic baseline, and job board numbers as what’s possible with experience, overtime, or a high-paying location.
CNA Salary at a Glance
Last updated: 2024
| Years worked | Hourly | Weekly (40 hr) | Monthly | Yearly |
| Entry Level: < 1 year | $18.61 | $745.20 | $2,980.00 | $38,750.00 |
| Mid-Level: 3-5 years | $19.81 | $792.30 | $3,169.00 | $41,200.00 |
| Experienced: more than 10 years | $22.39 | $895.57 | $3,582.00 | $46,570.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. Hourly estimate based on BLS median annual wage.
Source: DirectShifts. Estimates are approximate and vary by location and employer.
Note: Another thing to consider is what benefits come with the job, such as medical insurance and paid leave. Often, when you see a quoted yearly salary, this includes the cost of benefits. Typically, the longer you work somewhere, the more benefits you receive.
CNA Salary by State
The national median is helpful, but your actual pay depends heavily on where you live. Some states pay more because they have a higher cost of living.
Average Hourly Pay by State*
| AL-$16 | AK-$23 | AZ-$21 | AR-$16 | CA-$23 |
| CO-$22 | CT-$22 | DE-$19 | FL-$18 | GA-$18 |
| HI-$22 | ID-$18 | IL-$21 | IN-$18 | IA-$19 |
| KS-$18 | KY-$18 | LA-$15 | ME-$22 | MD-$20 |
| MA-$22 | MI-$19 | MN-$22 | MS-$15 | MO-$18 |
| MT-$20 | NE-$20 | NV-$21 | NH-$23 | NJ-$21 |
| NM-$18 | NY-$23 | NC-$18 | ND-$20 | OH-$19 |
| OK-$17 | OR-$24 | PA-$20 | RI-$21 | SC-$17 |
| SD-$18 | TN-$18 | TX-$18 | UT-$19 | VT-$21 |
| VA-$19 | WA-$24 | WV-$17 | WI-$21 | WY-$20 |
*This is the average amount rounded to the nearest dollar.
A Note on Cost of Living
A higher salary doesn’t automatically mean more money in your pocket. The cost of living, which includes housing, transportation, groceries, and other necessary expenses, varies widely from state to state.
For example:
- California pays about $23/hour, but it has the highest cost of living in the U.S.
- South Carolina pays about $17/hour, but living costs are much lower.
In the end, the difference in take-home comfort may be smaller than it looks.
What Factors Affect How Much a CNA Makes?
Because healthcare offers such a wide range of roles and settings, CNA pay can vary significantly. Your location, workplace, and level of experience can also affect your hourly rate.
State and Local Pay Rates
As shown in the previous table, where you live is one of the biggest factors that affect how much a CNA will make. Not only do state salaries differ, but areas within each state pay differently, too. CNAs in cities like New York or Los Angeles may earn higher salaries than those in smaller towns or rural areas. For example:
- New York City, NY pays an average of $22.81
- Syracuse, NY pays an average of $17.94
But, according to Glassdoor, the cost of living in New York City is much higher than in Syracuse, even though they are in the same state. The higher pay in New York will not stretch as far on a day-to-day basis.
Type of Facility
Not all CNA jobs pay the same. The facility and the type of healthcare setting in which a CNA works have a large impact on salary.
- Hospitals and specialty clinics usually pay more.
- Nursing homes and long-term care facilities pay closer to the national median.
- Government facilities may offer higher pay and better benefits.
Experience Level
Like most healthcare jobs, CNA pay increases with experience. You will start at the entry level, but most CNAs receive their first raise within 6-12 months. With experience and more responsibility, such as floating between departments or training new CNAs, you will continue to see pay increases.
Shift Differentials and Overtime
Hospitals and long-term care facilities are open 24 hours a day. Most facilities will pay more for:
- Nights
- Weekends
- Holidays
In addition, federal law says that anyone paid an hourly wage must be paid overtime (OT) if they work over 40 hours in a week. Also, by federal law, the overtime rate must be at least 1.5 times the hourly pay rate.
If you can take advantage of any of these shifts or OT, you can make a big difference in your weekly pay.
Certifications, Skills, and Specialization
Once you become a CNA, many states will allow certification in additional skills. Extra skills can boost your pay.
Higher-paying skills include:
- Telemetry (monitoring heart rhythms)
- ICU support skills (critical care patient support)
- EKG/ECG Technician (applying EKG/ECGs on patients)
- Phlebotomy (drawing blood for lab work)
Employers often pay more for CNAs who already have specialized training. Also, this skill training can advance your role to Patient Care Technician (PCT) in many hospitals.
How Much Do CNAs Make in Different Work Settings?
Your workplace affects your schedule, your workload, and your pay.
Long Term Care: Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Home Health
Long-term facilities had the highest employment of CNAs, followed by general medical and surgical hospitals. Nearly two-thirds of CNAs work at these two types of facilities.
Nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and home health are very competitive to attract good employees. They usually pay close to the state’s average.
Home healthcare can pay more than other long-term care settings if the CNA is willing to travel.
Hospitals
Hospitals are the second-largest employers of nursing assistants and tend to pay above nursing home rates.
Hospitals are busier than long-term care, so a CNA may be responsible for more patients.
Hospitals are also more likely to offer certification in telemetry, phlebotomy, and ICU care, which benefits the CNA with more skills and higher pay.
Pay Often Follows Demand
Across all settings, the pattern holds: the more patients in need of care and specialized skills required, generally translates into better pay.
It makes sense that the highest-paying facilities also have the fewest openings. You must stand out from other highly qualified and experienced applicants to compete.
Is Becoming a CNA Worth It for the Pay?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
Compared to the national median wage for all workers ($49,500), CNA pay ($39,530) is lower. But CNAs also:
- Can begin to work sooner: CNAs have a shorter training period than medical assistants (MAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), or registered nurses (RNs). CNAs can begin earning more quickly and gain valuable clinical experience that can lead to higher-paying positions.
- Are in high demand: Currently, there are about 211,800 openings for CNAs a year. The high demand for CNAs is expected to continue for the next 10 years.
- Prepare for higher roles: Starting as a CNA will give you the training needed to step into roles such as LPN or RN.
For people who want to start working fast, keep school costs low, and grow in healthcare, CNA work offers strong value.
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Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024. Job board estimates sourced from Indeed. Experience-level data sourced from DirectShifts. State salary figures sourced from BLS state occupational employment data.
