How much does a CNA make?
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a CNA in the United States is $34,620. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $32,740 to $37,920, with most professionals earning between $31,028 and $40,924.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a CNA in the United States is $34,620. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $32,740 to $37,920, with most professionals earning between $31,028 and $40,924.
Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
75th Percentile | $37,920 | $3,160 | $729 | $18 |
Average | $34,620 | $2,885 | $666 | $17 |
25th Percentile | $32,740 | $2,728 | $630 | $16 |
An entry-level CNA with less than 1 year of experience earns about $34,003. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $34,059. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $34,866. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $36,245, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $36,344.
Levels | Salary |
---|---|
Entry Level CNA | $34,003 |
Intermediate Level CNA | $34,059 |
Senior Level CNA | $34,866 |
Specialist Level CNA | $36,245 |
Expert Level CNA | $36,344 |
Entry Level | 2% |
Mid Level | 2% |
Senior Level | 1% |
Top Level | 5% |
Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in CNA compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $50,167 in 2023 to approximately $50,963 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of CNA salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of CNA information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see CNA job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for CNA and their salaries, click below for more details.
Core Compensation | ||||
Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
Base Salary | $34,620 | 67.4% | ||
Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
Value of Benefits | ||||
Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
Social Security | $2,648 | 5.2% | ||
401K/403B | $1,627 | 3.2% | ||
Disability | $277 | 0.5% | ||
Healthcare | $6,056 | 11.8% | ||
Pension | $1,904 | 3.7% | ||
Time Off | $4,261 | 8.3% | ||
Total Compensation | $51,393 | 100% |
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% |
What Am I Worth?
The highest-paying state for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) is the District of Columbia, offering an average hourly wage of $23.01. In comparison, the salary range for CNAs typically falls between a minimum of $33,770, a mid-range of $37,040, and a maximum of $40,960 annually. Other states like Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington also offer competitive salaries.
CNAs do not make six figures. Based on salary data, the minimum salary is $33,770, the mid-salary is $37,040, and the maximum salary is $40,960. While experience and education can influence earnings, CNAs typically earn well below six figures, with the highest salaries still falling short of that mark.
A full-time CNA typically works around 36 hours a week. In California, my hospital offers overtime opportunities and requires a minimum of three 12-hour shifts. The salary range for a CNA is approximately $33,770 to $40,960, with a mid-salary of about $37,040, reflecting the demanding nature of the job.
To increase your pay as a CNA, consider earning specialty certifications, demonstrating your skills, and seeking employment with higher-paying facilities. The salary range for CNAs typically falls between $33,770 and $40,960, with a median salary around $37,040. Focusing on these strategies can help you achieve a more comfortable income.
In Texas, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) earn between $16.22 and $19.66 per hour, with a median hourly wage of $17.83. This reflects a range from a minimum salary of $33,770 to a maximum of $40,960 annually. This is notably lower than the national average of $20.90 per hour.
A CNA license is definitely worth it, especially given the soaring demand for CNAs, which is projected to grow by 18% by 2024. This high demand translates to job security and a competitive salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $33,770, and experienced CNAs earning up to $40,960. With certification, you can quickly find a job in various locations.
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.