CNA salary

CNAs in the U.S. earn a median $42,260 a year.

Median pay
$42,260
Median hourly
$20.32
Typical range
$33,940–$51,980
Jobs
1,448,910

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for CNAs in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$33,940
25th$37,260
Median$42,260
75th$47,220
90th (top earners)$51,980

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$49,27079,480
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$46,94045,850
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$47,38043,090
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$46,22030,680
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$47,59026,130
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$45,73025,520
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$38,01023,490
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$38,53023,420
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$39,35023,260
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$37,97019,230

CNA salary by state

  1. 1Oregon$49,830
  2. 2Washington$49,180
  3. 3New York$48,590
  4. 4New Hampshire$47,870
  5. –District of Columbia$47,700
  6. 5California$47,630
  7. 6Colorado$47,380
  8. 7Vermont$47,130
  9. 8Maine$47,070
  10. 9New Jersey$46,830
  11. 10Massachusetts$46,680
  12. 11Minnesota$46,680
  13. 12Rhode Island$46,440
  14. 13Alaska$46,370
  15. 14Illinois$45,960
  16. 15North Dakota$45,820
  17. 16Nevada$45,490
  18. 17Hawaii$45,350
  19. 18Wisconsin$45,130
  20. 19Connecticut$44,790
  21. 20Arizona$44,780
  22. 21Pennsylvania$44,590
  23. 22Maryland$43,240
  24. 23Virginia$43,200
  25. 24Delaware$42,030
  26. 25Montana$40,900
  27. 26Nebraska$40,000
  28. 27Utah$39,840
  29. 28Michigan$39,570
  30. 29New Mexico$39,390
  31. 30Iowa$39,350
  32. 31Wyoming$39,160
  33. 32Ohio$39,010
  34. 33South Dakota$38,800
  35. 34Idaho$38,650
  36. 35North Carolina$38,460
  37. 36Kentucky$38,370
  38. 37Indiana$38,330
  39. 38Kansas$38,010
  40. 39Tennessee$37,990
  41. 40Georgia$37,680
  42. 41Missouri$37,680
  43. 42Florida$37,510
  44. 43Texas$37,500
  45. 44South Carolina$37,220
  46. 45West Virginia$36,720
  47. 46Oklahoma$35,930
  48. 47Arkansas$34,430
  49. 48Alabama$34,140
  50. 49Mississippi$31,520
  51. 50Louisiana$30,510
  52. –Puerto Rico$22,850

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Frequently asked questions

How much do CNAs make?

The median pay for CNAs in the U.S. is $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,940, and the top 10% earn over $51,980.

Which states pay CNAs the most?

The top-paying states are Oregon ($49,830), Washington ($49,180), New York ($48,590), New Hampshire ($47,870), California ($47,630).

How can a CNA earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a CNA covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Nursing Assistants, SOC 31-1131). Figures exclude self-employed workers.