CNA Jobs by City 2026 — Find Nursing Assistant Jobs Near You
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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.
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.
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CNA Job Search Checklist
- ✓Ensure your CNA certification is active and your name is on your state's nurse aide registry
- ✓Create profiles on Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor with 'Certified Nursing Assistant' as your job title
- ✓Search for CNA positions at local hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities directly
- ✓Contact at least 3 healthcare staffing agencies in your city for temporary or travel CNA placement
- ✓Ask your CNA program's clinical site about open positions — clinical placements often lead to job offers
- ✓Apply for both permanent and per-diem (on-call) positions to maximize early income
- ✓Negotiate pay based on your shift preference — nights and weekends typically earn $1–$3/hr more
- ✓Keep your continuing education current — active CNA certification is required for all positions
- +Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- +Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- +Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- +Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
- −Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- −Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- −May require continuing education to maintain
- −Some employers may not require certification
Sample CNA Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CNA practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
When nursing assistants find equipment in need of repair, they should
- A. fill out an Incident Report.
- B. wait for the safety inspection.
- C. report it to the appropriate personnel.
- D. continue to use the item until it is replaced.
Answer: C. report it to the appropriate personnel.
If a nursing assistant finds equipment in need of repair, their immediate responsibility is to report it to the appropriate personnel, such as the nurse, supervisor, or maintenance department. Using faulty equipment can pose a significant safety risk to both patients and staff. Reporting ensures the item can be repaired or replaced promptly, maintaining a safe environment.
A CNA with 10 years of experience in rehabilitation wants to become a restorative nursing assistant. What does this role primarily focus on?
- A. Administering physical therapy treatments
- B. Helping patients maintain or regain functional independence
- C. Performing surgical preparation tasks
- D. Managing patient insurance documentation
Answer: B. Helping patients maintain or regain functional independence
Restorative nursing assistants focus on programs that help residents maintain or regain the highest possible level of functional independence.
Patients may become aggressive and assault nursing assistants. If this occurs, you ought to ______.
- A. immediately leave the patient and call for security
- B. back away from the patient and talk to them in a calm voice.
- C. contact the family members to control the situation
- D. ask the nurse to call the doctor to get an order for restraints.
Answer: B. back away from the patient and talk to them in a calm voice.
When a patient becomes aggressive, the immediate priority is to ensure safety for both the patient and the caregiver. Backing away creates physical space, reducing the risk of injury, while speaking calmly can help de-escalate the situation. It's important to avoid confrontational actions and seek assistance from other staff or the nurse after ensuring immediate safety.
On admission to a nursing home or a long-term care facility, a resident must be given
- A. an Informed Consent document.
- B. the facility's monthly menu.
- C. a copy of the Resident Bill of Rights.
- D. the activity and worship schedules.
Answer: C. a copy of the Resident Bill of Rights.
Upon admission to a nursing home or long-term care facility, federal law (OBRA '87) mandates that residents receive a copy of the Resident Bill of Rights. This ensures they are fully aware of their legal rights regarding care, privacy, dignity, and participation in decisions affecting their well-being. Providing this document empowers residents to advocate for themselves and understand their entitlements.
CNA Jobs by City Questions and Answers
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How this page was made: written with AI tools. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- floridasnursing.gov — Eligibility, exam format · verified Oct 2026
- law.cornell.edu — Eligibility · verified Oct 2026
- law.cornell.edu — Test delivery · verified Oct 2026
- prometric.com — Exam information · verified Oct 2026