Certified Nurse Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Nurse Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Nurse Assistant in the United States is $33,666 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Certified Nurse Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,962
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,904 to $35,391
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,478
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,904 10% $26,478 90% $36,962 75% $35,391 $33,666 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Nurse Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $35,391 $2,949 $681 $17
Average $33,666 $2,805 $647 $16
25th Percentile $29,904 $2,492 $575 $14
Check out Certified Nurse Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Certified Nurse Practitioner

TOTAL CARE CONNECT - Columbus, OH

Certified Nurse Practitioner

PrimaryOne Health - Columbus, OH

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Sound Physicians - Columbus, OH

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Palm Health Resources - Columbus, OH

Search More Certified Nurse Assistant Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Certified Nurse Assistant Salaries

A Certified Nurse Assistant'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.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Nurse Assistants

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: $42,463
  • San Francisco: $41,998
  • Oakland: $41,113

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Nurse Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.53% 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.
  • Long Term Care (Mentioned in 4.69% Job Postings): Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Long term care is focused on individualized and coordinated services that promote independence, maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time. It is common for long-term care to provide custodial and non-skilled care, such as assisting with normal daily tasks like dressing, feeding, using the bathroom. Increasingly, long-term care involves providing a level of medical care that requires the expertise of skilled practitioners to address the multiple chronic conditions associated with older populations. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. Long-term care may be needed by people of any age, although it is a more common need for senior citizens.
  • Home Care (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): Homecare is health care or supportive care provided by a professional caregiver in the individual home where the patient or client is living, as opposed to care provided in group accommodations like clinics or nursing home.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.53%
Long Term Care 4.69%
Home Care 2.18%
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 Certified Nurse Assistant's salary.
  • Dialysis: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Dialysis
$38,379
14%
Attention to Detail
$35,686
6%
Initiative
$35,349
5%
Collaboration
$35,349
5%
Cardiac
$35,013
4%
Organizational Skills
$35,013
4%
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Certified Nurse Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Nurse Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 40% above the average. Conversely, Certified Nurse Assistant positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Nurse Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Nurse Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$47,132$23.040%

How Education impacts a Certified Nurse Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Nurse Assistants 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 Certified Nurse Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,160 and $37,049).

Certified Nurse Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Nurse Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 78.7%
Associates 11.4%
Bachelors 7.6%
Masters 0.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Certified Nurse Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Nurse Assistant'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Certified Nurse Assistant

Salaries for a Certified Nurse Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $49,048 in 2023 to around $49,659 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Nurse Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Nurse Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,048
2024
$49,827
2025
$49,659
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,048
2024 $49,827
2025 $49,659
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Nurse Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Certified Nurse Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Certified Nurse Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Certified Nurse Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Nurse Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Aya Locums

    Columbus, OH

    Aya Locums | Columbus, OH

    Aya Locums has an immediate opening for a locum Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) job in Columbus, OH paying $160/hour - $170/hour.Job Details:... more

    2 Days Ago

  • NorthStar Anesthesia

    Columbus, OH

    NorthStar Anesthesia | Columbus, OH

    Get the Recognition Youve Earned. Build Your Future with NorthStar.Join NorthStar Anesthesia as we continue our exciting nationwide expansion. Were seeking... more

    2 Days Ago

  • SUMO Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    SUMO Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Sumo Medical Staffing is recruiting for an experienced CRNA to work locum shifts in the Marietta area of Ohio (OH) starting 10/5/2026. The role offers ongo... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Seven Hills Anesthesia

    Columbus, OH

    Seven Hills Anesthesia | Columbus, OH

    Crna Opportunity At Seven Hills Anesthesia. Seven Hills Anesthesia is the largest independent anesthesia practice in the Tri-State region, serving 40 locat... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University Physicians

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University Physicians | Columbus, OH

    CRNA Opportunity In Central Ohio. Location: Metro Columbus, Ohio Facility Types: Inpatient & Outpatient, Surgery & Hospital. Sign-on bonus: $20,000. Commun... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Assistant Nurse Manager - NICU (Nocturnal). The Ohio State University Medical Center's mission is focused on integrating quality patient care, education, t... more

    1 Day Ago

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FAQ about Certified Nurse Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Nurse Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Nurse Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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