As a CNA, What Was Your Starting Pay? 2015

Published

I know this question gets asked a lot both here and in other CNA FB groups but I'm looking for more specific answers because I feel that this information is often misleading or inaccurate. If you google "CNA starting pay" you'll get a lot of figures like "the AVERAGE pay of a CNA is $13hr" but "average pay" is not the same as "starting pay" and most of us have probably been shocked a time or two when we get offered a low ball pay rate thats closer to $9.50hr instead of the average pay we found on Google.

So here is my more specific question about CNA starting pays: how much was your starting pay at a new facility, with and/or without experience? Were you promised a pay increase after a certain period of time like a 90 day probation period? How long before you got your first raise and how much was it? I'll start...

My starting pay was $9.50hr with three years of home Healthcare experience but no CNA experience. I was told I'd get a pay increase after a 90 day probation period and I never did. I got my first raise after my one year anniversary at this facility and it was for .15 cents. I live in southern Colorado and we house on average 72 residents while working with the minimum amount possible of CNAs. Our green unit CNAs often work the hall by themselves most of the time because we're so short staffed and our benefits are crap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Whatever it is, it's not enough. CNAs deserve so much more than the beans they are paid. Idk how yall do it..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiothoracic, Peds CVICU.

I started off at $11/hr in an ALF. I ended at $13/hr after 2 years. At the hospital I work in right now, I make $23/hr but I AM in California... Lol. My cost of living is much higher than yours.

As far as staffing goes, we are also always staffed to the minimum

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

My starting pay was ~$12 in a nursing home, $13 with differentials and $13.50 after about 6 months. This was in Minnesota

ETA: When I started we had ~50 resident census with 4-5 CNAs staffed every evening.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to the CNA forum

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just started in a hospital 2 months ago with no prior experience and I'm making $12.50/hr. I was told this is the minimum wage for PCA's at our hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i started at 15 an hour, and i am still making 15 an hour. if i take a contract, i can get a 500-1000 dollar bonus in addition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg.

None of us get paid enough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in Florida and I make 11.80 an hour and I am a nursing assistant II with no CNA license. I work for a local hospital and we do all of the blood draws, EKGs, vitals, d/c IVs, empty foley and other drains, and of course the cleaning, changing, and daily care of patients. I work nights so after my differential I make almost $14/hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

$12 an hour, $0.50 evening differential, $1 diff for weekends. I'm per diem so I make a little more than the others who started with me, but I know our facility pays a little less than others in the area (southern New England). I also make $12 an hour as a rehab aide when I'm at school on the Eastern shore of MD.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I started off at $11/hr in an ALF. I ended at $13/hr after 2 years. At the hospital I work in right now, I make $23/hr but I AM in California... Lol. My cost of living is much higher than yours.

As far as staffing goes, we are also always staffed to the minimum

ALF is "assisted living facility" right?? I'm still learning the different lingo for CNA'S and places that employ CNAs :-) I noticed your title says BSN, RN... Do you do both CNA work and RN?? I'm going for my RN next semester but wondered if there would be any point in maintaining my CNA license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiothoracic, Peds CVICU.
ALF is "assisted living facility" right?? I'm still learning the different lingo for CNA'S and places that employ CNAs :-) I noticed your title says BSN, RN... Do you do both CNA work and RN?? I'm going for my RN next semester but wondered if there would be any point in maintaining my CNA license.

Yes, assisted living facility. I just got my license lol. I'm a new grad working as a cna while I look for a nurse job haha. I worked as a cna thru out of all of school. Totally worth it

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion