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Licensed Nursing Aid Salary in the United States

How much does a Licensed Nursing Aid make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Nursing Aid in the United States is $38,459 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Licensed Nursing Aid's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,628
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,463 to $42,212
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,735
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Nursing Aid Salaries

A Licensed Nursing Aid's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Licensed Nursing Aid Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Nursing Aid's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,192
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $31,755
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,183
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $42,618
  • Expert (over 8 years): $42,670
Levels Salary
Behaviora... Level Licensed Nursing Aid$35,192
Home Care... Level Licensed Nursing Aid$31,755
Licensed ... Level Licensed Nursing Aid$38,183
Home Care... Level Licensed Nursing Aid$42,618
Home Care... Level Licensed Nursing Aid$42,670
View as Graph

How Do Licensed Nursing Aid Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Licensed Nursing Aids. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,582.
  • California: $42,420.
  • Massachusetts: $41,855.

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Nursing Aids

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,508
  • San Francisco: $47,977
  • Oakland: $46,966

What Skills Can Increase a Licensed Nursing Aid's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.96% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 5.76% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 3.03% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.96%
CPR 5.76%
First Aid 3.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Licensed Nursing Aid's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $44,612
16%
Collaboration $43,843
14%
Accountability $43,459
13%
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Licensed Nursing Aid Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Nursing Aid roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Licensed Nursing Aid positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Licensed Nursing Aid as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Licensed Nursing Aid

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$46,151$22.020%

How Education impacts a Licensed Nursing Aid's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Licensed Nursing Aids enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Licensed Nursing Aid with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $33,262 and $35,106).

Licensed Nursing Aid Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Licensed Nursing Aid
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.0%
High School 48.0%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 8.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Licensed Nursing Aid Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Nursing Aid's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,463
Average $38,459/year
$42,212
$2,955
Average $3,205/month
$3,518
$682
Average $740/week
$812
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,212 $3,518 $812 $20
Average $38,459 $3,205 $740 $18
25th Percentile $35,463 $2,955 $682 $17

Most common benefits for Licensed Nursing Aid

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Licensed Nursing Aid

Here are companies hiring for Licensed Nursing Aid and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Licensed Nursing Aid

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Licensed Nursing Aid?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Nursing Aid roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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