Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary by State
Compare Nursing Assistant salaries across all 51 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, supplemented by real-time job posting salary data for current market comparison.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
for accuracy.
BLS Data vs. Current Job Postings
Compare official BLS survey data (2025) with real-time salary data from 138 recent job postings across 18 states.
Nursing Assistant Salary Rankings — All States
Key Insights: The Cost of Living Reality
While Oregon offers the highest raw salary for CNAs at $49,830, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 113.5). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a CNA in North Dakota making a raw median salary of $45,820 enjoys a COL index of 93.9, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $48,797 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oregon | $25.08 | $49,830 | $43,903 | +26% |
| #2 | Washington | $25.11 | $49,180 | $42,728 | +24% |
| #3 | New York | $23.46 | $48,590 | $34,932 | +23% |
| #4 | New Hampshire | $23.70 | $47,870 | $42,589 | +21% |
| #5 | District of Columbia | $23.04 | $47,700 | $31,361 | +21% |
| #6 | California | $24.13 | $47,630 | $33,495 | +20% |
| #7 | Colorado | $22.79 | $47,380 | $45,081 | +20% |
| #8 | Vermont | $22.52 | $47,130 | $41,018 | +19% |
| #9 | Maine | $22.84 | $47,070 | $42,215 | +19% |
| #10 | New Jersey | $22.50 | $46,830 | $40,651 | +18% |
| #11 | Minnesota | $22.13 | $46,680 | $48,124 | +18% |
| #12 | Massachusetts | $22.93 | $46,680 | $35,471 | +18% |
| #13 | Rhode Island | $22.29 | $46,440 | $41,097 | +17% |
| #14 | Alaska | $23.52 | $46,370 | $37,365 | +17% |
| #15 | Illinois | $21.75 | $45,960 | $48,075 | +16% |
| #16 | North Dakota | $20.83 | $45,820 | $48,797 | +16% |
| #17 | Nevada | $21.59 | $45,490 | $43,656 | +15% |
| #18 | Hawaii | $21.98 | $45,350 | $23,620 | +15% |
| #19 | Wisconsin | $21.44 | $45,130 | $48,423 | +14% |
| #20 | Connecticut | $21.85 | $44,790 | $39,707 | +13% |
| #21 | Arizona | $21.55 | $44,780 | $43,816 | +13% |
| #22 | Pennsylvania | $21.14 | $44,590 | $45,407 | +13% |
| #23 | Maryland | $20.82 | $43,240 | $38,538 | +9% |
| #24 | Virginia | $20.27 | $43,200 | $41,739 | +9% |
| #25 | Delaware | $20.33 | $42,030 | $40,727 | +6% |
| #26 | Montana | $20.75 | $40,900 | $41,230 | +3% |
| #27 | Nebraska | $20.38 | $40,000 | $43,290 | +1% |
| #28 | Utah | $19.45 | $39,840 | $38,868 | +1% |
| #29 | Michigan | $19.95 | $39,570 | $43,293 | Avg |
| #30 | New Mexico | $19.90 | $39,390 | $42,128 | Avg |
| #31 | Iowa | $19.95 | $39,350 | $44,016 | Avg |
| #32 | Wyoming | $19.94 | $39,160 | $41,793 | -1% |
| #33 | Ohio | $19.48 | $39,010 | $42,495 | -1% |
| #34 | South Dakota | $19.00 | $38,800 | $41,453 | -2% |
| #35 | Idaho | $18.80 | $38,650 | $38,844 | -2% |
| #36 | North Carolina | $18.89 | $38,460 | $40,828 | -3% |
| #37 | Kentucky | $18.83 | $38,370 | $42,633 | -3% |
| #38 | Indiana | $19.33 | $38,330 | $42,354 | -3% |
| #39 | Kansas | $19.10 | $38,010 | $43,490 | -4% |
| #40 | Tennessee | $18.38 | $37,990 | $42,118 | -4% |
| #41 | Missouri | $18.47 | $37,680 | $41,960 | -5% |
| #42 | Georgia | $18.64 | $37,680 | $42,242 | -5% |
| #43 | Florida | $18.83 | $37,510 | $36,488 | -5% |
| #44 | Texas | $18.65 | $37,500 | $40,541 | -5% |
| #45 | South Carolina | $17.98 | $37,220 | $39,470 | -6% |
| #46 | West Virginia | $18.02 | $36,720 | $41,822 | -7% |
| #47 | Oklahoma | $17.27 | $35,930 | $41,016 | -9% |
| #48 | Arkansas | $16.33 | $34,430 | $39,620 | -13% |
| #49 | Alabama | $16.19 | $34,140 | $38,751 | -14% |
| #50 | Mississippi | $15.81 | $31,520 | $37,170 | -20% |
| #51 | Louisiana | $15.51 | $30,510 | $33,163 | -23% |
What is a Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a vital healthcare professional who provides direct, hands-on care to patients and assists them with essential daily activities under the supervision of a nurse. Functioning as the "central nervous system" of the patient floor, a CNA is the primary advocate who notices the smallest changes in a patient's condition long before they appear on a monitor. In the trenches of a busy hospital or long-term care facility, the clinical weight of this role is felt in the deep trust you build with those in your care. You are the hands that provide comfort and the eyes that ensure safety, serving as the indispensable bridge between the patient’s immediate physical needs and the broader medical treatment plan.
The path to becoming a CNA involves completing a state-approved nursing assistant training program and passing a competency exam to be listed on your state’s Nurse Aide Registry. In 2026, the landscape of the profession has become increasingly tech-forward; we are now utilizing smart wearable sensors and AI-driven charting tools that allow us to document patient data at the bedside in real-time. This modern scope of practice means CNAs are more integrated into the clinical team than ever, using specialized diagnostics and digital monitoring to provide proactive, high-quality care. This technological shift has elevated the role, allowing us to focus more on the human connection while maintaining a sophisticated level of clinical oversight.
A CNA certification is a true professional "passport," offering an incredible degree of flexibility and a gateway to a lifelong career in healthcare. Whether you choose to work in the high-energy environment of a Level I Trauma Center, the stable atmosphere of an outpatient clinic, or the personalized setting of home health, your skills are the foundational currency of the medical field. Many of us find this role to be the ultimate stepping stone toward becoming an LPN or RN, as the clinical intuition you build at the bedside is a perspective that can't be taught in a classroom. Every shift is an opportunity to make a tangible, life-enhancing impact, providing the compassionate, high-touch care that is the very heart of nursing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Nursing Assistant salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistant (CNA) is $39,530 per year, or approximately $20.46 per hour based on 2025 BLS data.
Which state pays Nursing Assistants the most?
Oregon offers the highest Nursing Assistant salary at $49,830 per year, while Louisiana is the lowest at $30,510.
What is the starting salary for a Nursing Assistant?
Entry-level Nursing Assistants in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $35,028. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $50,399 annually.
Does the highest paying state for CNAs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While Oregon offers the highest raw salary at $49,830, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like North Dakota and Wisconsin often provide a better financial return for CNAs.
How much does a Nursing Assistant make an hour?
On a national level, a Nursing Assistant makes a median of $20.46 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $16.84 for new graduates up to $24.23 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Nursing Assistant make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $93,600, a Nursing Assistant averages $39,530. This premium compensation reflects the advanced CNA Certificate degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.