How Much Do CNAs Make? Salary by State (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the backbone of patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities across the country. If you’re considering becoming a CNA or already working as one, understanding the salary landscape helps you plan your career path. This guide uses Bureau of Labor Statistics data to show what CNAs earn nationwide, compares pay across all 50 states, and evaluates how quickly you can recoup the cost of certification.
Important: Salary data below comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Our database tracks licensing data. For the most current salary figures, visit bls.gov directly.
National Salary Overview
The national median annual wage for nursing assistants is $39,530. The middle 50% earn between $45,230 and $56,020. While CNA wages are modest compared to some healthcare roles, the low barrier to entry and fast certification timeline make it an accessible starting point in healthcare.
National Median
$39,530
25th Percentile
$45,230
75th Percentile
$56,020
CNA Salary by State
CNA pay varies significantly by state. States with higher costs of living and stronger healthcare worker protections tend to pay more. Below is a full breakdown sorted by median salary.
| State | Median Salary | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR | $48,390 | $45,230 | $56,020 | 12,800 |
| WA | $48,260 | $44,850 | $54,780 | 28,080 |
| NY | $47,390 | $41,010 | $50,720 | 85,310 |
| DC | $46,860 | $43,120 | $50,360 | 2,550 |
| CA | $46,420 | $44,350 | $50,540 | 102,380 |
| NH | $46,050 | $40,790 | $49,730 | 7,190 |
| AK | $45,840 | $41,840 | $50,700 | 1,660 |
| ME | $45,640 | $40,270 | $48,390 | 8,590 |
| MN | $45,580 | $39,790 | $48,100 | 26,970 |
| MA | $45,410 | $40,220 | $48,370 | 38,280 |
| NV | $45,060 | $36,950 | $47,590 | 8,670 |
| CO | $44,950 | $40,830 | $48,100 | 20,880 |
| NJ | $44,910 | $39,650 | $47,490 | 31,310 |
| HI | $44,830 | $39,700 | $51,110 | 4,620 |
| IL | $44,750 | $38,520 | $48,110 | 64,660 |
| CT | $44,500 | $39,760 | $48,110 | 21,390 |
| ND | $44,190 | $36,060 | $46,880 | 6,920 |
| RI | $44,160 | $39,070 | $46,790 | 8,450 |
| VT | $43,610 | $38,800 | $47,150 | 3,140 |
| WI | $43,250 | $38,500 | $45,920 | 27,480 |
| AZ | $41,980 | $37,680 | $45,300 | 17,350 |
| PA | $41,110 | $37,950 | $45,070 | 65,410 |
| MD | $40,000 | $37,120 | $45,780 | 24,230 |
| MT | $39,300 | $37,040 | $46,220 | 4,800 |
| DE | $39,240 | $36,280 | $43,680 | 5,660 |
| MI | $38,900 | $37,180 | $43,320 | 40,230 |
| VA | $38,790 | $35,830 | $45,640 | 42,760 |
| IA | $38,630 | $36,740 | $44,710 | 22,970 |
| NE | $38,620 | $37,080 | $44,660 | 16,490 |
| OH | $38,570 | $36,810 | $43,620 | 62,360 |
| UT | $38,500 | $36,220 | $41,480 | 12,350 |
| WY | $38,360 | $36,980 | $46,260 | 2,680 |
| SD | $38,070 | $35,010 | $41,440 | 6,520 |
| NC | $37,670 | $34,580 | $41,820 | 61,280 |
| ID | $37,530 | $32,620 | $44,630 | 7,340 |
| IN | $37,330 | $35,650 | $42,360 | 31,240 |
| KY | $37,330 | $34,380 | $42,760 | 22,910 |
| MO | $37,170 | $34,770 | $40,170 | 32,650 |
| NM | $37,030 | $35,290 | $42,610 | 4,600 |
| KS | $36,910 | $35,280 | $41,560 | 23,950 |
| FL | $36,850 | $35,360 | $41,030 | 91,280 |
| TN | $36,750 | $33,630 | $39,160 | 23,030 |
| GA | $36,570 | $32,290 | $41,050 | 42,460 |
| TX | $36,390 | $33,090 | $39,530 | 87,050 |
| SC | $36,370 | $33,300 | $38,640 | 21,000 |
| WV | $36,340 | $33,020 | $39,090 | 8,860 |
| OK | $35,040 | $31,360 | $36,960 | 19,860 |
| AL | $32,470 | $29,110 | $35,930 | 24,560 |
| AR | $31,990 | $29,670 | $36,120 | 17,620 |
| MS | $30,460 | $28,710 | $35,100 | 13,130 |
| LA | $30,240 | $28,750 | $34,450 | 20,550 |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for CNAs
These states offer the best median pay for certified nursing assistants:
Keep in mind that several top-paying states also have higher costs of living. Evaluate the purchasing power of CNA wages in the context of local housing, transportation, and other expenses.
Certification Cost vs. Earning Potential
One of the biggest advantages of becoming a CNA is the low barrier to entry. Based on our verified database, the average total initial certification cost is approximately $154 across the 49 states we track. With a national median salary of $39,530, you can recoup your certification investment within the first few weeks of employment.
Many employers — particularly nursing homes and hospitals facing staffing shortages — offer to pay for CNA training and certification in exchange for a commitment to work at their facility, effectively making this a zero-upfront-cost career path.
See our CNA certification cost breakdown for exact fees in every state.
Factors That Affect CNA Pay
Work Setting
CNAs working in hospitals generally earn more than those in nursing homes or home health settings. Government facilities (VA hospitals, state-run facilities) also tend to offer higher wages and better benefits than private-sector employers.
Location
As the state-by-state data shows, geography has a major impact on CNA wages. Urban facilities in high-cost areas pay more, and states with minimum staffing ratio laws tend to value CNAs more competitively.
Shift Differentials
CNAs who work evening, night, or weekend shifts often earn a shift differential — an additional hourly premium on top of their base rate. This can add meaningfully to annual earnings, especially for those willing to work less desirable hours.
Experience
While the CNA pay range is narrower than many professions, experience does matter. CNAs with several years of experience and strong performance reviews can negotiate higher wages, and those who develop specialized skills (such as working with dementia patients or in rehabilitation settings) may command small premiums.
Career Advancement
Many CNAs use the role as a stepping stone to higher-paying healthcare positions. With additional education, a CNA can advance to LPN, RN, or other nursing roles — each with substantially higher earning potential. The clinical experience gained as a CNA is valuable for nursing school admissions.
Start Your CNA Career
Related guides: CNA Requirements by State · Easiest States · Certification With a Record
Salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Certification cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Factors affecting pay are general guidance. For the most current figures, visit bls.gov.
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