CNA Jobs by City 2026 — Find Nursing Assistant Jobs Near You
CNA jobs by city 2026: find nursing assistant jobs in major US cities, compare pay by location, top employers, and how to apply for CNA positions near you.
CNA Pay by City — How Location Affects Your Salary
CNA salaries vary dramatically depending on where you work. Cost of living, state minimum wage laws, union presence, and local healthcare market competition all affect what CNAs earn in different cities.
Approximate 2026 CNA hourly rates by city:
- San Francisco / Bay Area, CA: $20–$28/hr — among the highest in the US due to California minimum wage and cost of living
- Seattle, WA: $19–$26/hr — strong union presence and high cost of living drive wages up
- New York City, NY: $17–$24/hr — high cost of living and large healthcare market
- Denver, CO: $17–$22/hr — growing market with competitive wages
- Chicago, IL: $16–$22/hr — large urban market, union-negotiated wages at many facilities
- Dallas / Houston, TX: $14–$19/hr — lower cost of living but large number of available positions
- Atlanta, GA: $14–$18/hr — growing market with significant healthcare employment
- Phoenix, AZ: $15–$20/hr — large retirement population drives CNA demand
- Rural and small-town areas: $13–$16/hr typically — lower cost of living, but also lower wages
For a full salary breakdown including shift differentials and benefits, see our cna pay guide. California positions are covered in depth in our cna jobs in california article.
CNA Job Market by City Type
- Examples: NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston
- Pay range: $16–$28/hr
- Employers: Major hospital systems, SNFs
- Examples: Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle
- Pay range: $15–$22/hr
- Employers: Regional hospitals, assisted living
- Examples: Suburbs of major metros
- Pay range: $15–$20/hr
- Employers: Nursing homes, home health agencies
- Examples: Small towns, rural counties
- Pay range: $13–$16/hr
- Note: Lower wages but critical shortage areas
Where CNAs Work — Top Employer Types by City
CNA job availability varies by city based on the local mix of healthcare facilities. Here are the primary employer types in different city markets:
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and Nursing Homes: The largest employer of CNAs nationwide — present in every city and town. Pay ranges from entry-level to mid-tier depending on facility size and ownership. Many nursing home CNAs work 12-hour shifts with weekend rotation.
Hospitals: Hospital CNA positions (often called patient care technicians or PCTs) typically pay more than nursing home positions — $2–$5/hr more in many markets. Hospital CNAs support RNs on medical/surgical, ICU, pediatric, and other units. Competitive positions — often require 1+ year of CNA experience.
Assisted Living Facilities: A growing employer as the US population ages. Assisted living CNAs typically work with higher-functioning residents in a less acute environment than nursing homes. Strong demand in retirement-heavy markets like Phoenix, Florida, and suburban markets nationwide.
Home Health Agencies: Home health CNA positions provide one-on-one patient care in clients' homes. Pay is often competitive with facility work, and some home health CNAs appreciate the autonomy and variety. Available in all markets — highest demand in urban and suburban areas. See our cna hospital jobs guide for hospital-specific positions.
How to Find CNA Jobs in Your City
The most effective strategies for finding CNA jobs by city:
Indeed.com: Search 'CNA' or 'certified nursing assistant' + your city. Filter by pay range and distance. Indeed has the most volume of CNA listings of any platform.
Direct facility applications: Visit or call nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities in your area directly. Many facilities hire CNAs without posting on job boards — especially for weekend and overnight shifts.
Healthcare staffing agencies: Aya Healthcare, AMN Healthcare, and local staffing firms place CNAs in temporary and permanent positions — often at premium hourly rates. Good for building experience across multiple facilities.
State CNA registry: Some states connect newly certified CNAs with employers seeking to hire — check your state registry website for job boards or employer partnerships. Our cna jobs in california guide covers the largest state market in detail. For the full picture on CNA career progression, see how to become a cna.
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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.