Wages for a CNA: What to Expect in 2026
How much does a CNA make? Explore wages for a CNA by state, setting, and experience level. Includes salary tables for TX, CA, WA, IL and more.
CNA Pay at a Glance: 2026 Key Numbers
How Much Does a CNA Make?
The most common question new CNAs ask is simple: how much does a CNA make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median wage for nursing assistants is $17.40 per hour — or about $36,200 a yearly salary for a CNA working full-time. But that number hides a wide range — how much a CNA can make depends heavily on location, employer type, shift, and experience. Planning to advance to RN? Our free NCLEX practice test 2026 covers all Next Generation NCLEX formats including case studies and matrix questions.
Here's a quick breakdown of assistant in nursing pay rates across the national distribution:
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | $13.20 | $27,460 |
| 25th | $15.10 | $31,410 |
| 50th (median) | $17.40 | $36,170 |
| 75th | $20.30 | $42,220 |
| 90th (top earners) | $24.80 | $51,590 |
Do CNA make good money? For an entry-level healthcare role that only requires 4–12 weeks of training, CNA pay is competitive. In fact, the top quartile earns over $20/hour right out of nursing home work. And with overtime, shift differentials, and specialization, many CNAs exceed $50,000 a year.
At the median rate of $17.40/hour for 80 hours biweekly, that's approximately $1,392 before taxes every two weeks. At the 75th percentile ($20.30/hour), you're looking at $1,624 biweekly.
Candidates can also sharpen their skills with our HHA practice test 2026, which includes hundreds of practice questions in the exact format and difficulty of the real exam.
CNA Wages by State
Where you live is the single biggest factor in your yearly salary for CNA work. States with higher costs of living and strong union presence pay significantly more. Here are wages for the most commonly searched states — including CNA wages in Texas, CNA pay in Washington state, how much do CNAs make in California, and how much do CNAs make in Illinois.
| State | Mean Hourly | Annual (Mean) | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $20.50 | $42,640 | +18% |
| Washington | $20.10 | $41,810 | +16% |
| Alaska | $19.80 | $41,180 | +14% |
| Massachusetts | $19.40 | $40,350 | +12% |
| New York | $19.10 | $39,720 | +10% |
| Oregon | $18.60 | $38,690 | +7% |
| Illinois | $17.80 | $37,020 | +3% |
| National Median | $17.40 | $36,170 | — |
| Texas | $16.20 | $33,690 | −7% |
| Louisiana | $15.40 | $32,030 | −11% |
| Mississippi | $14.80 | $30,780 | −15% |
How much do CNAs make in California? California CNAs earn a mean of $20.50/hour. In high-cost metro areas like San Francisco or Los Angeles, experienced CNAs can earn $24–$27/hour. The nursing assistant California salary is boosted by strong labor protections and high demand in aging-population counties.
CNA wages in Texas sit around $16.20/hour on average. Major hospital systems in Houston and Dallas typically pay above average — experienced CNAs in DFW often earn $17–$20/hour. CNA pay in Washington state benefits from a high minimum wage and unionized healthcare systems like Providence and MultiCare, with entry-level CNAs in Seattle often starting at $19–$20/hour.
Hospital Pay for a CNA vs. Other Settings
Your work setting dramatically affects your CNA job pay. Hospital pay for a CNA is consistently higher than what nursing homes or home health agencies offer — but the environment is also more demanding.
| Work Setting | Mean Hourly | Annual (Mean) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical Hospitals | $19.80 | $41,190 | Highest base pay, shift differentials common |
| Specialty Hospitals | $19.20 | $39,930 | Psychiatric, rehab, cancer centers |
| Skilled Nursing Facilities | $16.90 | $35,150 | Most CNA jobs are here |
| Home Health Agencies | $16.20 | $33,680 | Flexible hours, lower pay |
| Assisted Living Facilities | $15.80 | $32,860 | Less clinical intensity |
| Government/VA Facilities | $21.50 | $44,720 | Best benefits, job security |
Ready to qualify for hospital and specialty roles? See our guide to CNA Certifications for renewal requirements by state.
Specialty Unit Pay for Hospital CNAs
Starting Pay for a New CNA
The starting pay for a CNA varies by state and employer type, but most new graduates can expect to earn between $13.50 and $16.50/hour for their first position.
Starting Pay by Work Setting
Many facilities offer shift differentials that quickly raise your effective hourly rate: evening (+$1–$2/hr), overnight (+$2–$3/hr), and weekends (+$1–$3/hr). Working nights and weekends as a new CNA is one of the fastest ways to close the gap between starting pay and experienced pay.
Explore the full range of opportunities in our CNA Jobs Near Me guide.
How to Increase Your CNA Pay
Move to a Higher-Paying State or Metro Area
Transition to a Hospital Setting
Specialize in a High-Demand Unit
Pick Up Travel CNA Contracts
Advance Your Credentials
CNA Certifications: How to Get Certified and Renew Your License
CNA Jobs Near Me: How to Find the Best Opportunities
CNA Resources: Study Guides, Practice Tests & Career Tools
CEU Credits for CNA: How to Get Free & Paid Continuing Education
About the Author
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator
Johns Hopkins University School of NursingDr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.