Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in the United States
National median pay
$42,260/year
about $20.32 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $37,260 – $47,220
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| 25th | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Median (50th) | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 75th | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 90th (top earners) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($56,840). Lowest of the cities we track: San Antonio ($36,800).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $51,870 – $67,880 |
| San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $50,010 – $58,930 |
| Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $48,110 – $59,950 |
| Portland, OR | $50,350 | $47,640 – $59,330 |
| New York, NY | $49,270 | $47,430 – $55,170 |
| Denver, CO | $49,110 | $46,230 – $51,250 |
| San Diego, CA | $48,070 | $46,710 – $51,600 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $48,020 | $44,600 – $50,210 |
| Boston, MA | $47,590 | $44,940 – $50,060 |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,510 | $46,270 – $50,040 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,380 | $46,030 – $50,360 |
| Chicago, IL | $46,940 | $42,940 – $49,060 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $46,220 | $43,370 – $47,560 |
| Washington, DC | $45,730 | $39,020 – $48,980 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,790 – $47,990 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $45,290 | $39,050 – $46,660 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $43,080 | $38,800 – $45,900 |
| Baltimore, MD | $42,770 | $38,220 – $44,990 |
| Detroit, MI | $39,900 | $38,650 – $45,060 |
| Nashville, TN | $39,510 | $37,120 – $44,540 |
| Charlotte, NC | $39,430 | $37,490 – $46,250 |
| Atlanta, GA | $39,350 | $37,320 – $44,700 |
| St. Louis, MO | $39,110 | $37,180 – $44,630 |
| Austin, TX | $38,550 | $37,680 – $45,440 |
| Dallas, TX | $38,530 | $37,370 – $45,190 |
| Miami, FL | $38,010 | $36,240 – $44,160 |
| Houston, TX | $37,970 | $36,350 – $46,100 |
| Orlando, FL | $37,690 | $36,000 – $38,930 |
| Tampa, FL | $37,470 | $36,540 – $39,410 |
| San Antonio, TX | $36,800 | $35,430 – $43,050 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for nursing assistant (cna)s, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $37,260 ($17.91/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $37,260 to $47,220 ($17.91 to $22.70/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $47,220 ($22.70/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask whether the employer pays for CNA training or certification, since many do in exchange for a work commitment.
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends are common. Get them in writing.
- Ask how many residents or patients you'd care for per shift. It affects the job far more than the posting says.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.