CNA starting wage?

Published

Hello new CNA here,

I am curious about CNA starting wages, I was offered a job at a skilled nursing facility at the starting wage of $10.00/hr I have worked many manual labor jobs and this is about the same starting wage as the jobs I had previously. I would have thought having a certificate would at least bump it to $13.00 - $14.00 / hr at least. Planning to go into a Nursing Program, but need to work in the mean time.

Anyone know if $10.00/hr starting is poor, average, or good?

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My starting wage at a LTCF in WI was $11.08 an hour. No prior health experience. I'm sad to say that some CNAs make a lot less than $10!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hmm, okay thanks, this might be good experience regardless.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics, dementia, ortho.

Average/normal. And in many ways, being a CNA is much like manual labor. You'll certainly be just as tired after a shift as you would be from doing landscaping.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

10 is average. Around here we start out between 8 - 9.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Average/normal. And in many ways, being a CNA is much like manual labor. You'll certainly be just as tired after a shift as you would be from doing landscaping.

Yep! I am in Central Ohio and started at $9/hour, and it is the most physically exhausting job I have ever had.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have heard this varies. I saw a posting in Ohio and the fed gov't was offering $16/hr but that was without benefits. I have friends who started around $12/hr or so in the hospital setting. If you are state tested that will boost your earning potential by a few dollars per hour as well.

Best Wishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Here in west Texas, the going rate at all local homes is 7.50/hr. When I quit to go to school a year ago I made 7.33 with 2 years experience. 10 an hour here would be a Godsend! People with years of experience rarely ever top 9.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Back in 2007, I started out at $11 an hour on day shift... assisted living facility. I now make $14.75 on nights.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this is simple folks the reason for the lower wage for new graduate cna's is due to the fact that new cna's are a huge question mark. Management is taking a risk in hiring those with less than a year experience. The questions are can this cna handle the work load and will they be able to complete their tasks in a timely manner. Or will they fall apart after they have been trained? So why start them at a higher wage. always remember in most LTC the bottom line is the bottom line. 7.50 / hr for an experienced LTC cna is stupid that person need to go somewhere else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I get 8.75 in KY, so would gladly welcome 10. Really, it depends where you are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I started out at 10.75 in 2007 in a low cost of living area, my very last job as a STNA was $12.50/hour. I had no idea how common low CNA pay was till I started on this site. There is no way I would do that hard of a job for $9, it's such hard work and a crime to pay that little.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion