Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in the US earn an average of $36,220 per year or $17.42 per hour. This guide breaks down CNA pay by state, setting, and experience.
Quick Answer: CNA Salary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average annual salary | $36,220 |
| Average hourly wage | $17.42 |
| Entry-level salary | $30,000 |
| Top 10% earn | $45,000+ |
| Total employed | 1.4 million |
CNA Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| California | $43,570 | $20.95 |
| Hawaii | $42,780 | $20.57 |
| Washington | $42,400 | $20.38 |
| Oregon | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| New York | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| Massachusetts | $40,670 | $19.55 |
| Nevada | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Colorado | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| New Jersey | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Connecticut | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Arizona | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Texas | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Florida | $32,620 | $15.68 |
| Georgia | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Alabama | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Mississippi | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Louisiana | $29,120 | $14.00 |
CNA Salary by Work Setting
| Setting | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Home health services | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| Nursing home/SNF | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Assisted living | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Hospice | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Clinic/Physician office | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Correctional facility | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Travel CNA | $45,000+ | $21.63+ |
CNA Salary by Experience
| Experience | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (< 1 year) | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| 1-3 years | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| 3-5 years | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| 5-10 years | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| 10+ years | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| Lead/Senior CNA | $43,000 | $20.67 |
CNA Salary by Shift
| Shift | Pay Differential |
|---|---|
| Day shift (7am-3pm) | Base pay |
| Evening shift (3pm-11pm) | +$0.50-$1.50/hr |
| Night shift (11pm-7am) | +$1.00-$3.00/hr |
| Weekend shift | +$1.00-$2.00/hr |
| Holiday shift | +$3.00-$5.00/hr |
How to Become a CNA
| Step | Time Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma/GED | Required | Free |
| CNA training program | 4-12 weeks | $600-$2,000 |
| Clinical hours | 16-100 hours | Included |
| State certification exam | 1 day | $100-$200 |
| Total | 1-3 months | $700-$2,200 |
CNA Career Advancement
| Next Step | Additional Training | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| LPN/LVN | 1 year | +$15,000 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 2-4 years | +$45,000 |
| Medical Assistant | 9-12 months | +$3,000 |
| Home Health Aide specialty | 2-4 weeks | +$2,000 |
| CNA II/Advanced CNA | 6 months | +$3,000 |
| Medication Aide | 2-6 weeks | +$4,000 |
CNA Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,800 | $2,295 | $1,200 | $24,705 |
| $36,220 | $2,500 | $2,771 | $1,449 | $29,500 |
| $40,000 | $3,200 | $3,060 | $1,600 | $32,140 |
| $45,000 | $4,000 | $3,443 | $1,800 | $35,757 |
Use our income after taxes calculator for your exact take-home pay.
CNA Job Outlook
- Job growth: 5% (2022-2032)
- Job openings: 200,000+ annually
- Demand: High due to aging population
- Competition: Low — persistent shortage
Is Being a CNA Worth It?
Pros:
- Quick entry into healthcare (1-3 months)
- Low training cost
- Meaningful patient care work
- Stepping stone to nursing career
- Always in demand
Cons:
- Physically demanding
- Emotionally challenging
- Lower pay than many healthcare roles
- High burnout rates
- Often understaffed
Related Guides
- How much do nurses make?
- How much do LPNs make?
- $15 an hour is how much a year?
- US Income Percentile Calculator
Tags: