Leadership

Exploring CNA salary and the rising demand for CNAs

A male nurse in scrubs smiling while using a standing computer in a long term care facility common area

Introduction: Understanding CNA salary norms and room for improvement

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are vital to the well-being of hospital patients, long-term care center residents, and skilled nursing facility residents. They ensure people are comfortable and have their basic needs covered — at a time when they cannot take care of themselves. The industry as a whole is facing real challenges that will impact CNA salaries, including the coming “Silver Tsunami,” when 73 million people will be aged 65 and over. 

CNA salary overview

In 2024, the average CNA salary is $41,734 per year, roughly $20 per hour. But pay varies from state to state and facility to facility.  

This article discusses CNA salary, but not all CNAs earn a salary. For example, independent CNAs may charge by the shift, and may make more than a salaried CNA on a per-hour basis.

Factors affecting regional variations in CNA salary

CNA salaries differ based on cost of living and demand for care (both tend to be higher in metropolitan areas). Areas experiencing a higher demand for CNAs may pay more, but that’s not always the case. 

Here’s how the average nursing assistant salary breaks down by region and by state: 

West

  • Washington $50,681
  • Oregon $40,729
  • California $43,217
  • Nevada $39,000
  • Idaho $41,473
  • Montana $37,540
  • Wyoming $39,567
  • Utah $35,830
  • Colorado $39,833
  • Alaska $41,247
  • Hawaii $39,934

Midwest

  • North Dakota $40,700
  • South Dakota $38,466 
  • Nebraska $35,969
  • Kansas $34,432 
  • Minnesota $38,618 
  • Iowa $36,798 
  • Missouri $35,471
  • Wisconsin $40,175
  • Illinois $36,752
  • Indiana $38,919
  • Michigan $33,007
  • Ohio $37,592

Southwest

  • Arizona $38,115
  • New Mexico $38,599
  • Texas $41,313
  • Oklahoma $34,833

Southeast

  • Arkansas $31,361
  • Louisiana $33,717
  • Mississippi $36,572
  • Alabama $37,071
  • Tennessee $35,890
  • Kentucky $32,999 
  • Georgia $34,535
  • Florida $30,563
  • South Carolina $35,109
  • North Carolina $34,383
  • Virginia $37,401 
  • West Virginia $31,991 

Northeast

  • Maine $42,031
  • Vermont $44,372
  • New Hampshire $40,377
  • Massachusetts $41,562
  • New York $45,226
  • Rhode Island $37,725
  • Connecticut $36,932
  • New Jersey $40,728
  • Pennsylvania $41,424
  • Delaware $37,803
  • Maryland $36,647

2024 average CNA salary data by Zip Recruiter

Exploring the other factors influencing CNA salary

Education

Generally, CNAs need to have a high school diploma or GED. Typically, they must also complete a CNA certification program and be licensed to work before they begin to practice. Length of certification programs vary from state to state but most take between four and 16 weeks. Each state has its own requirements for licensure — you can find your state’s requirements on its health department website.

Once licensed, additional certifications can help you increase your nursing assistant salary. Here are some of the certifications that CNAs get:

1. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants do everything that CNAs do but can also assist with additional clinical tasks, such as administering medications and drawing blood, as well as administrative tasks, like record keeping.  

According to BLS, the average CMA salary is $43,350or roughly $20.84 per hour. CMA opportunities are expected to increase by 15% over the next nine years (the average job growth rate sits at 3%). 

There are several medical assistant certification programs available, all with different requirements and focuses, such as: 

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a certification from the American Healthcareer Association.

2. Medication Aide

Medication aides can earn more than CNAs. In addition to their CNA duties, medication aides keep medication records and ensure that residents and patients take medication on time at the proper dosage, according to physician instructions. Each state has different requirements for medication aide certification, so check with yours. 

3. Hospice CNA

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association offers a certification for CNAs who have experience in hospice and palliative care, which may increase salary.

Experience

Facilities may be willing to pay more for experienced CNAs. Experience tends to be measured in the number of years in the field, or number of hours worked, and experience in the setting in which the position is offered.

Increased demand

With an aging population and the rise in chronic illnesses, CNAs are more in demand than ever. There are currently 4.6 million direct care workers in the U.S., and as the 65+ population increases, the demand for CNAs is expected to almost double

More than 53% of non-RN direct care workers leave the industry every year, and that plays into compensation rates at the facility level as well. Whenever and wherever the demand for CNAs is higher, wages can increase.

Facility type

Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare — different settings offer different levels of compensation.

Additionally, facilities offer full- and part-time team members compensation packages, which can include educational opportunities that lead to greater future earning potential.

The work of a certified nursing assistant (CNA)

Overview of what CNAs do

CNAs help patients with activities of daily living, monitor vital signs and assist nurses as needed. Some of their duties include: 

  • Preparing rooms for admissions. 
  • Patient transferring and positioning, bathing, person-centered care.
  • Documenting a patient's health issues/vital signs and reporting to the Nurse on Duty. 
  • Interacting with a resident’s or patient’s family. 
  • Assisting nursing teams to ensure the highest quality of care is provided. 

Importance of CNAs in the healthcare system

CNAs serve on the frontlines of patient care, keeping patients and residents comfortable and clean and relaying important information to the rest of their medical team.

Because they interact with patients and residents more than other healthcare professionals, CNAs may be able to offer licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and physicians additional insights into the patient’s or resident's condition.

Career paths for CNAs

LPN/LVN: Licensed practical nurse and licensed vocational nurse

What is an LPN/LVN?

LPN stands for “licensed practical nurse,” and LVN stands for “licensed vocational nurse.” LPNs and LVNs have the same duties, but the name of the role changes depending on geographical location: LVNs practice in Texas and California; LPNs practice in the rest of the country. LPNs and LVNs are essential members of a facility's medical team.

What does an LPN do?

LPNs and LVNs perform tasks like:

  • Administering medication and treatment protocols.
  • Charting and recording. 
  • Observing patients and residents.
  • Performing specific procedures, such as reading and recording vital signs, measuring and recording weight and height, and running other diagnostic tests.

How much do LPNs and LVNs earn?

The average salary for U.S.-based LPN/LVNs is $60,790 per year or $29.23 per hour. 

What’s the process of becoming certified as an LPN/LVN?

The first step is to complete an accredited practical nursing program, which can be found at community and vocational colleges. The second step is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Then, state licensure is required, along with other state-specific requirements.

Registered Nurse (RN)

What is an RN?

Registered nurses either have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Like most bachelor’s degrees, BSN degrees take around four years to complete, although accelerated programs are out there. Associate degrees in nursing generally take two years.

What does an RN do?

RNs provide a variety of healthcare services, including: 

  • Performing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
  • Patient assessments.
  • Carrying out physician orders. 
  • Preparing patients for treatments.
  • Administering medications.
  • Maintaining and documenting medical records.
  • Counseling patients and their families on how to manage medical issues.

How much do RNs earn?

The average salary for RNs in the U.S. is $94,480 per year, roughly $45.42 per hour.

Nurse Practitioner

What is a nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners do everything that RNs do, but they also have some expanded responsibilities and duties. In certain states, nurse practitioners can even practice without the supervision of a doctor. To become a nurse practitioner, you must have a BSN and an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in nursing (MSN).

How much can nurse practitioners earn?

The average salary for nurse practitioners in the U.S. is $128,490 per year, about $61.78 per hour.

Negotiating and maximizing CNA salary or pay

CNA salaries range from person to person, state to state and facility to facility, and pay may not be in a salary at all, like when CNAs are paid on a per-day basis. As in any field, it’s critical to learn how to negotiate and advocate for yourself so that you can secure the highest nursing assistant salary or pay possible.

Tips for increasing your earning potential

  1. Understand industry norms: Know the average CNA salaries for your city and state. Make sure you’re familiar with what CNAs at your experience level earn, too. 
  2. Highlight your certifications: If you possess advanced certifications, ensure prospective facilities know and make sure those certifications stand out in your resume.  
  3. Demonstrate your value: Gather recommendations from past facilities and talk about the relationships you’ve built with prior patients and residents during the interview process. 

CNA: An essential role with income potential

CNAs are essential in creating ideal patient outcomes and safeguarding the well-being of all in acute-care, long-term-care and skilled-nursing facilities. This entry-level role opens doors to many career paths and provides the opportunity to have a real effect on patient well-being. 

In the coming decade, as the 65+ population continues to grow, the demand for CNAs will grow alongside it. CNAs will have more opportunities to work, and that may increase the compensation available to these critical healthcare workers.