The certified nursing assistant (CNA) role is considered an entry-level job in the healthcare industry. However, a CNA is an essential part of patient care and is a valued addition to nearly all healthcare teams. Salaries for CNAs vary from state to state, and several factors can affect the reason earnings may be higher or lower compared to the average.
Location
Typically, positions in larger, more populated cities offer higher salaries. The cost of living is higher, and employers must consider that when paying their employees. According to recent surveys, California, New York, and Alaska offer the most substantial median annual pay for CNAs.
Type of Employer
Be sure to research what type of organization your employer identifies as when you’re considering employment options. There are government agencies, private and public hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare groups, to name a few. While the pay at a nursing home might be slightly less than a large hospital, keep in mind that your list of responsibilities at a nursing home may be smaller, too.
Skillset
The more experience you have, the more you have an opportunity for pay increases. Specializations in various departments, such as labor and delivery or ICU, will serve you well as you negotiate salary. As you grow in your field and complete advanced certifications, you create the opportunity for increased compensation.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) performed an income survey for nursing assistants in 2019.
CNA Pay — State by State
| Alabama | $24,590 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Alaska | $40,320 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | $32,640 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | $25,950 | ||||||||||||||||||
| California | $36,630 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado | $33,980 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Connecticut | $34,360 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | $31,770 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | $27,790 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | $27,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | $37,710 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Idaho | $28,950 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | $29,760 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | $28,610 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | $30,520 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kansas | $27,280 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | $27,280 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | $23,340 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maine | $30,770 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | $32,450 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | $35,040 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | $31,220 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | $35,150 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi | $23,980 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | $26,490 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Montana | $30,440 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | $29,920 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nevada | $34,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | $33,430 | ||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | $31,190 | ||||||||||||||||||
| New Mexico | $28,850 | ||||||||||||||||||
| New York | $38,810 | ||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | $26,540 | ||||||||||||||||||
| North Dakota | $34,320 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ohio | $28,690 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | $26,030 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | $34,780 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | $31,590 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rhode Island | $33,020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | $26,560 | ||||||||||||||||||
| South Dakota | $28,120 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | $27,250 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | $27,930 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Utah | $28,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vermont | $31,710 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | $29,400 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | $33,800 | ||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | $26,900 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | $31,280 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wyoming | $31,930 |
A passion for serving others is what aspires most to have a career as a CNA. Another perk to working as a CNA is that you can start working immediately after completing a state-approved CNA training program. Typically, experience is not required to land your first job.
There is an expectation that the demand for CNAs will grow due to the aging US population — this offers the career field a substantial amount of job security. CNAs will continue to play an invaluable role in nursing and long-term care centers.
Find CNA shifts available in your area today! Download the Clipboard Health app to apply.
