Your complete guide to CNA pay, state-by-state salary data, and how to earn more as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
If you're earning $15/hour in Louisiana, moving to Washington state puts you at $20/hour doing the same work. CNA wages vary by as much as 40% between the lowest and highest-paying states. For many CNAs, a cross-state move pays for itself within a year.
Hospital pay for CNA roles is 15–25% higher than SNF pay on average. Large academic medical centers like UCSF and Cedars-Sinai pay $22–$27/hour for experienced CNAs. Start by applying to hospital system float pools, which often accept CNAs with just 6 months of experience.
Units like labor and delivery, ICU, oncology, and med-surg pay more because the work is more demanding. A labor and delivery CNA salary often runs $3–$5/hour above a standard floor rate. Seek out cross-training opportunities at your current employer before switching facilities.
Travel CNAs can earn $25–$35/hour plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals by taking 13-week contracts in high-demand markets. After 1 year of experience, this is often the fastest path to doubling your income.
Many states offer advanced CNA certifications (CNA-II, Medication Aide, Patient Care Technician) that unlock higher pay grades. CNA-to-LPN bridge programs are also widely available and typically double your earning potential. Take a <a href="/free-cna-practice-test"><strong>CNA practice exam</strong></a> to benchmark your skills before applying for advancement roles or higher-paying facilities.
The national median CNA pay is $17.40/hour as of 2026. Entry-level CNAs typically earn $13–$15/hour, while experienced CNAs in high-paying states or hospital settings earn $20–$25/hour. The top 10% of CNAs earn over $24/hour.
The nursing assistant California salary averages $20.50/hour ($42,640/year). In the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles, experienced CNAs commonly earn $24–$28/hour. California's high minimum wage and strong labor laws make it one of the best states for CNA compensation.
The starting pay for a CNA is typically $13.50–$16.50/hour depending on state and facility. Nursing homes tend to offer lower starting wages ($13–$15/hour), while hospitals in competitive markets often start at $16–$18/hour. Night and weekend shift differentials can add $2–$3/hour on top of base pay.
For a career requiring only 4–12 weeks of training, CNA job pay is competitive. The median annual salary of $36,200 is above the federal poverty line for a family of four, and top earners exceed $50,000/year. Travel CNAs and hospital CNAs in high-cost states can earn substantially more.
CNA wages in Texas average $16.20/hour or about $33,690/year. In major metros like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, wages are typically $1–$3/hour higher than the state average. Major employers like HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White pay $17–$20/hour for experienced CNAs.
At the national median of $17.40/hour for 80 hours, a CNA earns approximately $1,392 gross every 2 weeks. At $20/hour (common in WA, CA), biweekly pay is $1,600. Full-time CNAs working overtime can see biweekly checks of $1,800–$2,200 before taxes.
A labor and delivery CNA salary ranges from $19–$23/hour in most markets, significantly above average CNA pay. L&D units require composure under pressure and strong teamwork skills, but they don't usually require additional certification beyond standard CNA licensure. Hospital experience is typically required before placement in an L&D role.
Med-surg CNA salary averages $18–$22/hour in hospital settings. Medical-surgical floors are the most common hospital placement for CNAs and a strong stepping stone to higher-acuity units. Med-surg CNAs work alongside RNs and often assist with post-surgical patients, making it excellent experience for CNAs planning to advance to LPN or RN.