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CNA Salary 2026

The median Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the United States is $38,200 per year ($18.37/hour) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CNA pay varies widely by state, work setting, experience level, and shift type. This guide breaks down exactly what CNAs earn in 2026 and how to maximize your income.

CNA: upcoming dates and official changes
  • Aug 1, 2026: Connecticut (Prometric) implements new exam pricing: $48 for written only, $48 for oral only, $125 for bundled written and clinical skills, effective August 1, 2026.[4]
  • Jul 1, 2026: Idaho (Prometric) raises CNA exam fees to $34 each for written and oral exams, plus test site fees, effective July 1, 2026.[5]

Full CNA change history

  • Passing score (written or oral): Set per state; no national percentage published.[1]
  • Retake policy: Minimum 3 attempts required; aides must be told which areas they failed before each retake.[1]
  • Validity: 2 years from issuance in most states.[2]
  • Renewal: State-specific; typically 2-year cycles with continuing education requirements (12–24 hours per year) and paid-work requirements.[3]

All verified CNA facts and sources

Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nursing assistants was $38,200 in May 2026, with the middle 50% earning between $31,470 and $43,760. CNA salaries have risen approximately 18% over the past five years, outpacing inflation for most healthcare support occupations. With over 1.56 million CNAs employed across the country and more than 216,000 job openings projected annually through 2032, understanding CNA pay is essential for anyone entering or advancing in this career. Practice with the free CNA practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (3,000+ questions with answer explanations).

CNA compensation depends heavily on where you work, what setting you choose, what shift you take, and how much experience you bring. A CNA in Alaska or California can earn 50–70% more than one in Alabama or Mississippi doing the same work. Hospital CNAs consistently outearn those in nursing homes, and night and weekend shifts add $1–$4/hour through shift differentials. This guide covers every angle of CNA salary data so you can make informed career and financial decisions.

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CNA Salary by State and Region (2026)

📋 West

West Coast & Mountain States

Alaska leads all states with a mean CNA wage of $44,420/yr ($21.36/hr), driven by remote facility premiums and a high cost of living. California follows closely at $42,040/yr ($20.21/hr), with Bay Area and Los Angeles metro facilities paying $22–$28/hr. Washington CNAs earn $40,870/yr ($19.65/hr), particularly strong in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor. Oregon averages $38,900/yr ($18.70/hr). Hawaii pays $40,030/yr ($19.25/hr) but has the highest cost of living in the region. Colorado and Nevada round out the West at $36,500–$38,200/yr. The West Coast offers the strongest CNA union protections, which directly boost wages and benefits.

📋 Midwest

Midwest CNA Salaries

Minnesota leads the Midwest at $39,520/yr ($19.00/hr), supported by strong healthcare systems like Mayo Clinic and Allina Health. North Dakota pays $38,410/yr ($18.47/hr), boosted by worker shortages in rural facilities. Illinois CNAs earn $36,800/yr ($17.69/hr), with Chicago-area hospitals at the high end. Ohio averages $35,500/yr ($17.07/hr) with the Cleveland Clinic system being a major employer. Michigan and Wisconsin fall in the $34,000–$36,000/yr range. Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska average $32,000–$34,500/yr. The Midwest offers lower cost of living, making effective CNA purchasing power competitive with coastal states.

📋 South

Southern CNA Salaries

Texas averages $33,190/yr ($15.96/hr) with major metro areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin) paying $17–$20/hr. Florida CNAs earn $34,200/yr ($16.44/hr), with South Florida and Tampa paying above the state average. Virginia averages $34,870/yr ($16.76/hr), with Northern Virginia near D.C. paying premium rates. North Carolina and Georgia fall in the $31,000–$33,500/yr range. Louisiana averages $30,800/yr and Mississippi at $28,960/yr are among the lowest-paying states. Alabama and Arkansas average $28,500–$29,500/yr. Despite lower nominal wages, the South's cost of living means CNAs retain more of their earnings in many markets.

📋 Northeast

Northeast CNA Salaries

New York leads the Northeast at $42,870/yr ($20.61/hr), with NYC-area facilities paying $23–$28/hr and strong union representation. Massachusetts pays $40,560/yr ($19.50/hr) with Boston-area hospitals at the top end. Connecticut averages $39,800/yr ($19.13/hr). New Jersey CNAs earn $38,200/yr ($18.37/hr), with higher pay in northern NJ near NYC. Pennsylvania averages $36,400/yr ($17.50/hr), with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro paying above the state average. Vermont and Maine average $35,000–$37,000/yr. The Northeast generally offers the second-highest CNA wages after the West Coast, paired with strong labor protections and benefit requirements.

How to Increase Your CNA Salary

Negotiate your starting rate — present competing offers and highlight any prior healthcare experience
Work evening, night, or weekend shifts to collect shift differentials worth $1–$4/hr extra
Pursue specialty certifications like Medication Aide, EKG Technician, or Phlebotomy to qualify for higher-paying roles
Switch to a hospital setting — hospital CNAs earn 15–25% more than nursing home CNAs on average
Register with staffing agencies like IntelyCare, Maxim Healthcare, or Aya Healthcare for per diem shifts at premium rates
Consider travel CNA assignments — 8–13 week contracts with housing stipends and $25–$40/hr pay
Pick up overtime shifts — most facilities pay 1.5x your hourly rate after 40 hours per week
Move to a higher-paying state or metro area — Alaska, California, New York, and Washington pay $20+/hr
Get your CNA II or Advanced CNA certification where your state offers expanded scope tiers
Pursue an LPN or RN bridge program — the investment pays back in 2–5x salary increases within two years
Join a unionized facility — union CNA wages average $2–$4/hr higher than non-union facilities
Build seniority at one facility — many employers offer annual raises of $0.50–$1.50/hr for retention
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Highest Paying vs Lowest Paying CNA Jobs

Pros

  • Travel CNA — $25–$40/hr plus housing stipends and travel reimbursement
  • Hospital ICU/Surgical CNA — $21–$28/hr with full benefits and union protection
  • Private Duty CNA (high-acuity) — $22–$30/hr negotiated directly with families
  • Staffing Agency CNA (metro areas) — $20–$26/hr with shift flexibility
  • Dialysis CNA — $19–$24/hr with DaVita or Fresenius in metro markets
  • Government/VA Hospital CNA — $19–$23/hr with federal benefits package

Cons

  • Rural nursing home CNA — $12–$15/hr in low-wage Southern and Midwestern states
  • Assisted living CNA (non-certified facility) — $13–$16/hr with limited benefits
  • Home health aide (entry level) — $13–$15/hr through low-paying agencies
  • Small group home CNA — $12–$16/hr with minimal raise structure
  • Per diem without agency — $14–$17/hr sporadic shifts with no benefits
  • For-profit nursing home chain (rural) — $13–$16/hr with high patient ratios
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CNA Career and Salary Resources

Explore our complete library of CNA guides to boost your career and earnings:

If you want more targeted practice, the cna nurse page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

If you want more targeted practice, the cna plus page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

If you want more targeted practice, the prometric cna practice test page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

If you want more targeted practice, the point click cna page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

Sample CNA Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free CNA practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

  1. HIPAA regulations require CNAs to:

    • A. Share resident health information freely with all healthcare workers in the building
    • B. Protect resident health information and share it only on a need-to-know basis
    • C. Post resident diagnoses on room doors for easy reference
    • D. Discuss resident conditions with visitors who claim to be family

    Answer: B. Protect resident health information and share it only on a need-to-know basis

    HIPAA requires that protected health information be shared only with those who need it for the resident's care, never freely distributed.

  2. The right to be free from abuse includes protection from:

    • A. Only physical hitting or striking by staff members
    • B. Physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse by any person
    • C. Abuse by staff only, not family members or other residents
    • D. Only actions that result in visible physical injury

    Answer: B. Physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse by any person

    Residents are protected from all forms of abuse — physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial — from any source including staff, family, and other residents.

  3. When assisting a resident with range-of-motion exercises, the CNA should move each joint until the resident reports:

    • A. Severe pain
    • B. Mild discomfort or resistance
    • C. No sensation at all
    • D. A popping sound

    Answer: B. Mild discomfort or resistance

    Range-of-motion exercises should be performed to the point of mild resistance or slight discomfort, never forcing the joint past that point to avoid injury.

  4. A patient on a mechanical soft diet chokes frequently. What should the CNA do?

    • A. Switch the patient to a regular diet for variety
    • B. Continue feeding slowly and document the choking episodes at end of shift
    • C. Stop feeding, report to the nurse immediately, and document observations
    • D. Offer only liquids until the next meal

    Answer: C. Stop feeding, report to the nurse immediately, and document observations

    Repeated choking is a safety concern indicating a possible swallowing problem; feeding must stop and the nurse must be notified right away.

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CNA Salary Questions and Answers

How much does a CNA make per hour in 2026?

The median CNA hourly wage in 2026 is $18.37 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level CNAs earn $13–$17/hr, mid-career CNAs earn $17–$22/hr, and experienced CNAs in high-paying states or hospital settings earn $22–$28/hr. Travel CNAs can earn $25–$40/hr with housing stipends included.

What is the average annual CNA salary?

The national median annual CNA salary is $38,200. The range spans from approximately $28,540 at the 10th percentile to $48,780 at the 90th percentile. Location is the biggest factor — CNAs in Alaska earn a mean of $44,420/yr while those in Mississippi average around $28,960/yr. Hospital CNAs consistently earn 15–25% more than nursing home CNAs.

Which state pays CNAs the most?

Alaska pays CNAs the most with a mean annual wage of $44,420 ($21.36/hr). California ranks second at $42,040/yr, followed by New York at $42,870/yr, Washington at $40,870/yr, and Massachusetts at $40,560/yr. These states combine high demand, strong unions, and elevated cost of living to produce the highest CNA wages in the country.

Do CNA salaries vary by work setting?

Yes, work setting is one of the biggest factors in CNA pay. Hospital CNAs earn the most in traditional settings at $41,500–$46,200/yr. Staffing agency CNAs earn $40,000–$48,000/yr with more flexibility. Nursing home CNAs earn $34,800–$39,500/yr. Home health CNAs earn $32,200–$37,800/yr. Travel CNAs earn the overall highest at $52,000–$78,000/yr including stipends.

How can I increase my CNA salary?

The most effective ways to increase CNA pay include: switching to a hospital setting (15–25% pay increase), working night or weekend shifts for $2–$4/hr differentials, pursuing specialty certifications (Medication Aide, dialysis, wound care), registering with staffing agencies for premium per diem rates, considering travel CNA contracts, and negotiating raises based on tenure and performance. Joining a unionized facility adds $2–$4/hr on average.

What are CNA shift differentials?

Shift differentials are extra hourly pay for working evenings, nights, or weekends. Evening shifts (3–11 PM) typically add $1.00–$2.50/hr. Night shifts (11 PM–7 AM) add $2.00–$4.00/hr. Weekend differentials add another $1.50–$3.00/hr. Holiday pay is usually 1.5x–2x base rate. A CNA earning $18/hr base who works nights with a $3 differential earns approximately $6,240 more per year.

Is CNA a good paying job?

CNA pay is moderate for the education and training required — most programs take 4–12 weeks. The median salary of $38,200/yr provides a livable wage in many markets, and experienced or specialized CNAs can earn $45,000–$58,000/yr. Travel CNAs earn $52,000–$78,000/yr. CNA work also serves as a launchpad to higher-paying careers: LPNs earn $48,000–$62,000/yr and RNs earn $65,000–$95,000/yr, with bridge programs available for CNAs.

How much do travel CNAs make?

Travel CNAs earn $52,000–$78,000 per year, making them the highest-paid CNAs in the profession. Hourly rates range from $25–$40/hr depending on location, facility need, and contract terms. Most travel CNA contracts are 8–13 weeks and include housing stipends ($1,000–$2,500/month), travel reimbursement, health insurance, and completion bonuses. Assignments in high-demand states like California and New York pay at the top of this range.

What is the passing score for the CNA?

Passing score (written or oral): Set per state; no national percentage published. (Verified Oct 14, 2026 against Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.)

Sources & last verified

  1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — passing score, retake policy (official source). “The State shall establish the passing standard for the written or oral examination and for the skills demonstration.” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
  2. archive.regulations.delaware.gov — validity (official source). “CNA certification shall be effective for 2 years following the date of issue and shall expire 2 years following such date” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
  3. cdph.ca.gov — renewal (official source). “Certificates are renewed every two years, and the required training is 48 hours of in-service training or continuing education” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
  4. prometric.com — other (official source). “Effective August 1, 2026, the following exam pricing will be implemented” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
  5. prometric.com — other (official source). “Effective July 1, 2026, the following exam pricing will be implemented: $34 written, $34 oral, plus test site fees” Verified Oct 14, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.

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