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CNA Salary by State (2026)

Average Certified Nursing Assistant wages across all 50 states, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). CNA pay varies significantly by state — from under $30,000/year in Mississippi to over $44,000 in California and Washington.

$17.23
National avg. hourly
$35,843
National avg. annual
1.4M+
CNAs employed (US)
StateHourlyAnnualEmployed
California$21.49↑$44,700107,550Washington$21.36↑$44,44033,720Connecticut$20.96↑$43,59022,760Alaska$20.63↑$42,9104,040Massachusetts$20.33↑$42,29036,910New York$20.14↑$41,90097,050Colorado$20.12↑$41,86018,190Oregon$19.76↑$41,09019,650Rhode Island$19.44↑$40,4407,620Minnesota$19.04↑$39,60032,440New Hampshire$18.98↑$39,4708,690New Jersey$18.83↑$39,16046,410Maryland$18.57↑$38,62030,720Vermont$18.57↑$38,6304,190Hawaii$18.30↑$38,0705,480Maine$17.93↑$37,2909,130Delaware$17.85↑$37,1305,330North Dakota$17.65↑$36,7207,310Illinois$17.59↑$36,59056,060Arizona$17.54↑$36,49026,330Wyoming$17.47↑$36,3403,180Wisconsin$17.30↑$35,99031,240Utah$17.25↑$35,88012,290Nevada$17.16↓$35,69013,750Montana$17.02↓$35,4105,680Pennsylvania$16.98↓$35,31076,670Virginia$16.67↓$34,67036,810Nebraska$16.51↓$34,34012,360Michigan$16.50↓$34,31047,330Indiana$16.39↓$34,08033,730Idaho$16.34↓$33,9906,870Florida$16.28↓$33,86077,460South Dakota$16.25↓$33,7908,120Iowa$16.14↓$33,58020,500Ohio$16.00↓$33,27059,880New Mexico$15.91↓$33,0908,480Missouri$15.88↓$33,03031,540North Carolina$15.87↓$33,02044,620Georgia$15.59↓$32,42038,560Kansas$15.58↓$32,41015,980Tennessee$15.33↓$31,89031,280South Carolina$15.23↓$31,68022,360Kentucky$14.98↓$31,15022,210Texas$14.87↓$30,920104,620Alabama$14.82↓$30,82019,870Louisiana$14.78↓$30,74021,370Arkansas$14.62↓$30,41015,710Oklahoma$14.62↓$30,40019,560West Virginia$14.23↓$29,59010,630Mississippi$13.98↓$29,07014,060

CNA Salary FAQ

What is the average CNA salary in the United States?

The national average CNA wage is $17.23 per hour, or about $35,843 per year. Wages vary significantly by state, facility type, shift, and years of experience.

Which state pays CNAs the most?

California has the highest average CNA pay at $21.49/hour ($44,700/year). Other top-paying states include Washington ($21.36/hr) and Connecticut ($20.96/hr).

Do CNAs get paid more in hospitals or nursing homes?

Hospital CNAs typically earn 15–25% more than nursing home CNAs. Home health CNAs often earn similar or slightly less than nursing homes, though per-diem platforms like ShiftKey and NurseDash can boost take-home pay significantly through shift premiums.

How can a CNA increase their pay?

CNAs can increase pay by: (1) working per-diem shifts through staffing apps, (2) specializing in home health or hospice, (3) adding a medication aide certification, (4) moving to a higher-paying state, or (5) advancing to LPN/RN.

How many CNAs are employed in the United States?

The BLS estimates approximately 1.4 million CNAs are employed in the United States, making it one of the largest healthcare occupations. Job growth is projected at 4–5% through 2032 as the population ages.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. SOC Code 31-1131 (Nursing Assistants). Data reflects annual averages and may not reflect recent wage changes.

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