Can I Survive Off Of Certified Nursing Assistant Salary? Opinions & Stories Please!

[FuturePedsNurse92]

I'm very curious if it is possible to survive out in the "real world" with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) job salary of 25,000 a year. Is that even the average salary anymore? How much do average CNA's get paid an hour? Most importantly, can I survive off of certified nursing assistant salary job?

Thanks

Best Answer...

AGWSRnurse said:

I teach a CNA class at a high school in Iowa. CNA's start at $10.10 at the nursing home a block away from the high school. Most nursing homes in our area are in the $9-$10 range to start. There is a weekend differential and time and one half for call-in, double time for major holidays generally.

Yes, one can "survive"...but hopefully your aspirations are more than survival.

CNA work is demanding...but rewarding. It is an excellent job that one can survive on while continuing their education..whatever career path that might be.

There is usually plenty of hours to be had, and it dovetails perfectly with going to school usually as there are evening and nite shifts, weekend work etc.

One always has to think short term...and long term....

It may be perfect for 4-6 years...but will you be able to do this job all your working life?

It may inspire you to continue to learn more and become more educated and have more responsibility as either an LPN or an RN.

[sandygirl123, CNA]

It depends where you live. I once made a whole $9.12 an hour and hell no I could not live off of that! I was struggling to pay all of my bills and I still lived at home even. That is crap for any cna to make less than 10.00 an hour with the kind of work that we do. I would never take any job that pays less then 14.00 an hour. I live in northern VA and it cost a lot to live here I absolutely refuse to take a job working as a cna with a crappie pay I might as well work construction if I am going to break my back I want decent pay.

[Missingyou, CNA]

If you just have to provide for yourself, yes, you can manage to have a decent apartment and live comfortably. You will probably never have "extra" or "money to burn", but if you manage your money wisely, it is possible.

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

I make $10/hr. plus $1 shift differential for working 2nd shift.

I honestly believe I CAN live off of this pay given that a)I do not have children b)cost of living in the area

that I work or even neighboring areas is low

However, for me to survive with this pay I would have to consider apartments in bad neighborhoods or

1 or 2 roommates if I wanted to live in a better neighborhood...

I would have to plan my expenses carefully because my gross pay would probably be around $2-2.5k

I would also have to consider buying only the most essential items, cooking my own food, and

probably work full-time PLUS overtime pay to make this work.

[tiffannij, CNA]

I just started working as an CNA and I make $16.00 an hour in a LTC facility in a nursing home. That's good enough for me because I'm married so I don't have to raise my daughter on my own. If you have at least a year of experience you should definitely find a job in a hospital in a hospital they start $17-$19 an hour here in New York with 1 year experience.

[Starletta, CNA]

tiffannij said:

I just started working as an CNA and I make $16.00 an hour in a LTC facility in a nursing home. That's good enough for me because I'm married so I don't have to raise my daughter on my own. If you have at least a year of experience you should definitely find a job in a hospital in a hospital they start $17-$19 an hour here in New York with 1 year experience.

tiffinij, do you work in the city? That's a very good salary!

I live in CT and could never, ever live off the average $11-$13 that most CNA's make around here. Even being married, it would be difficult.

[VampyrSlayer, CNA]

I live on the VT/NH border and I've heard salaries are around 11-12.50 but there's one ltc that pays 9.50! And everyone who has worked there hated it. My last job at a hotel was $11 an hour, I'm hoping I get paid more now that I have skills... And no, I wouldn't be able to survive on those salaries anyway since my area is very "affluent". I'm single, no kids, live with mom, pursuing NS.

[erinberrin, CNA]

I live in R.I., have 2 years experience. I make about 14.00 an hour in a facility and 11.00 an hour in home care. It's a tough job but I suppose it's like anything else, you really have to like healthcare or surviving with the salaries the way they are..well is dismal. I'm single and my son is grown so..it's a little easier..

[Proton]

I suppose it depends on your bills, region/ cost of living and # hours/pay rate. If you take the time to look over you finances and consider cutting a few "luxuries", it could be possible. I lived in NYC for undergrad and one year I decided to only make coffee at home instead of buying it everyday. I saved 1,000+ a year/$100 a month (coffee 2x a day @ $1.50 each).

I believe you can "survive" but it also depends on your definition of the word.

[Proton]

Amendment to previous comment, if you drink lattes @ $3.00+ a pop, you could save even more.

[betm, CNA]

It's for sure possible. I share living expenses with my fiancé, but I have never had problems putting away money in my savings, buying our food, putting gas in my car, buying my own necessities, and having money for entertainment/other purposes. My fiancé takes care of our rent and utilities, but I was working as a CNA before me met and did that on my own as well. I wasn't living the rich life, but I had everything I needed (and that's my current situation, too). As for salary, the most I've ever made was at a county facility and I was getting $12.89/hour. The position I'm interviewing for on Tuesday is a state job and I'd be looking at $13.103/hour with an excellent benefits package (benefits being something I've never gotten working as an aide before), which will be my personal highest wage (I was a cashier and factory worker before I was a CNA). This is all in south-central Wisconsin.

Don't go into healthcare for the salary. Don't go into it if you're looking to live any kind of high life. If you want to know if it's possible to survive with the basics and some minor luxuries (which is completely up to you to define), then the answer is yes. I can still go out to eat or see a movie, but I probably won't be traveling abroad anytime soon (which has a lot to do with my wedding next year - that is my priority for savings).

[Proton]

Good luck with the interview betm and congrats on the engagement!

[Benderover2, CNA]

I make 10.25 an hour. It sucks you can survive though. My wife also works two jobs. Good luck