Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Wages by State: Hourly & Annual Pay Breakdown
Compare verified U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly and annual wages for Certified Nursing Assistants across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including entry-level (10th percentile), median (50th percentile), and experienced top-tier (90th percentile) earnings.
National CNA Compensation Benchmarks (BLS SOC 31-1131)
National Median Wage
$19.04/hr
$39,610 median annual pay across 1.35 million U.S. nursing assistants.
Top-Tier 90th Percentile
$24.39+/hr
$50,730 to $61,100+ annually in high-paying states and acute-care hospitals.
Highest-Paying States
NY, NH, DC, CA, CO
Median hourly wages exceed $22.60/hr ($47,000+ per year) across the top 6 jurisdictions.
1. Complete 50-State & D.C. CNA Wage Comparison Table
The interactive table below details the median hourly wage, median annual wage, entry-level 10th percentile annual wage, and experienced 90th percentile annual wage for every state, along with direct links to each state's approved training schools and registry requirements:
| State / Jurisdiction | Median Hourly | Median Annual | 10th – 90th Percentile | State Training & Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $16.41/hr | $34,140/yr | $28,330 – $38,680 | Schools • Registry |
| Alaska (AK) 140 Hours (80 Clinical) | $22.29/hr | $46,370/yr | $39,450 – $58,430 | Schools • Registry |
| Arizona (AZ) 120 Hours (40 Clinical) | $21.53/hr | $44,780/yr | $37,100 – $57,820 | Schools • Registry |
| Arkansas (AR) 90 Hours (16 Clinical) | $16.55/hr | $34,430/yr | $28,840 – $39,020 | Schools • Registry |
| California (CA) 160 Hours (100 Clinical) | $22.90/hr | $47,630/yr | $40,110 – $61,100 | Schools • Registry |
| Colorado (CO) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $22.78/hr | $47,380/yr | $38,690 – $56,070 | Schools • Registry |
| Connecticut (CT) 100 Hours (50 Clinical) | $21.53/hr | $44,790/yr | $38,660 – $53,870 | Schools • Registry |
| Delaware (DE) 150 Hours (75 Clinical) | $20.21/hr | $42,030/yr | $36,530 – $48,080 | Schools • Registry |
| District of Columbia (DC) 120 Hours (45 Clinical) | $22.93/hr | $47,700/yr | $38,900 – $57,500 | Schools • Registry |
| Florida (FL) 120 Hours (40 Clinical / Challenge Allowed) | $18.03/hr | $37,510/yr | $34,350 – $46,790 | Schools • Registry |
| Georgia (GA) 85 Hours (24 Clinical) | $18.12/hr | $37,680/yr | $30,300 – $47,310 | Schools • Registry |
| Hawaii (HI) 100 Hours (70 Clinical) | $21.80/hr | $45,350/yr | $36,000 – $52,660 | Schools • Registry |
| Idaho (ID) 120 Hours (40 Clinical) | $18.58/hr | $38,650/yr | $28,380 – $47,430 | Schools • Registry |
| Illinois (IL) 120 Hours (40 Clinical) | $22.10/hr | $45,960/yr | $37,590 – $54,050 | Schools • Registry |
| Indiana (IN) 105 Hours (75 Clinical) | $18.43/hr | $38,330/yr | $35,390 – $46,890 | Schools • Registry |
| Iowa (IA) 75 Hours (30 Clinical) | $18.92/hr | $39,350/yr | $35,620 – $47,980 | Schools • Registry |
| Kansas (KS) 90 Hours (45 Clinical) | $18.27/hr | $38,010/yr | $32,180 – $46,980 | Schools • Registry |
| Kentucky (KY) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.45/hr | $38,370/yr | $30,390 – $46,450 | Schools • Registry |
| Louisiana (LA) 80 Hours (40 Clinical) | $14.67/hr | $30,510/yr | $27,980 – $37,390 | Schools • Registry |
| Maine (ME) 130 Hours (50 Clinical) | $22.63/hr | $47,070/yr | $39,100 – $58,120 | Schools • Registry |
| Maryland (MD) 100 Hours (40 Clinical) | $20.79/hr | $43,240/yr | $36,060 – $49,330 | Schools • Registry |
| Massachusetts (MA) 75 Hours (21 Clinical) | $22.44/hr | $46,680/yr | $39,380 – $57,880 | Schools • Registry |
| Michigan (MI) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $19.02/hr | $39,570/yr | $36,830 – $46,740 | Schools • Registry |
| Minnesota (MN) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $22.44/hr | $46,680/yr | $38,010 – $55,410 | Schools • Registry |
| Mississippi (MS) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $15.15/hr | $31,520/yr | $27,050 – $38,290 | Schools • Registry |
| Missouri (MO) 175 Hours (100 Clinical) | $18.12/hr | $37,680/yr | $31,350 – $45,260 | Schools • Registry |
| Montana (MT) 75 Hours (25 Clinical) | $19.66/hr | $40,900/yr | $36,780 – $49,700 | Schools • Registry |
| Nebraska (NE) 76 Hours (16 Clinical) | $19.23/hr | $40,000/yr | $37,090 – $48,980 | Schools • Registry |
| Nevada (NV) 75 Hours (30 Clinical) | $21.87/hr | $45,490/yr | $36,940 – $50,680 | Schools • Registry |
| New Hampshire (NH) 100 Hours (60 Clinical) | $23.01/hr | $47,870/yr | $39,140 – $59,660 | Schools • Registry |
| New Jersey (NJ) 90 Hours (40 Clinical) | $22.51/hr | $46,830/yr | $38,900 – $55,140 | Schools • Registry |
| New Mexico (NM) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.94/hr | $39,390/yr | $34,110 – $48,340 | Schools • Registry |
| New York (NY) 100 Hours (30 Clinical) | $23.36/hr | $48,590/yr | $38,450 – $59,890 | Schools • Registry |
| North Carolina (NC) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.49/hr | $38,460/yr | $30,260 – $47,080 | Schools • Registry |
| North Dakota (ND) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $22.03/hr | $45,820/yr | $35,130 – $51,380 | Schools • Registry |
| Ohio (OH) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.75/hr | $39,010/yr | $35,060 – $46,570 | Schools • Registry |
| Oklahoma (OK) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $17.27/hr | $35,930/yr | $29,630 – $42,870 | Schools • Registry |
| Oregon (OR) 155 Hours (75 Clinical) | $23.96/hr | $49,830/yr | $43,210 – $61,310 | Schools • Registry |
| Pennsylvania (PA) 80 Hours (37.5 Clinical) | $21.44/hr | $44,590/yr | $37,760 – $49,360 | Schools • Registry |
| Rhode Island (RI) 120 Hours (20 Clinical) | $22.33/hr | $46,440/yr | $39,220 – $54,950 | Schools • Registry |
| South Carolina (SC) 100 Hours (40 Clinical) | $17.89/hr | $37,220/yr | $30,460 – $44,760 | Schools • Registry |
| South Dakota (SD) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.65/hr | $38,800/yr | $31,110 – $46,100 | Schools • Registry |
| Tennessee (TN) 75 Hours (35 Clinical) | $18.26/hr | $37,990/yr | $31,110 – $44,660 | Schools • Registry |
| Texas (TX) 100 Hours (40 Clinical) | $18.03/hr | $37,500/yr | $30,620 – $47,500 | Schools • Registry |
| Utah (UT) 100 Hours (24 Clinical) | $19.15/hr | $39,840/yr | $34,870 – $47,080 | Schools • Registry |
| Vermont (VT) 80 Hours (30 Clinical) | $22.66/hr | $47,130/yr | $37,620 – $59,600 | Schools • Registry |
| Virginia (VA) 120 Hours (40 Clinical) | $20.77/hr | $43,200/yr | $31,560 – $50,980 | Schools • Registry |
| Washington (WA) 85 Hours (50 Clinical) | $23.64/hr | $49,180/yr | $42,500 – $62,660 | Schools • Registry |
| West Virginia (WV) 120 Hours (55 Clinical) | $17.65/hr | $36,720/yr | $31,060 – $45,290 | Schools • Registry |
| Wisconsin (WI) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $21.70/hr | $45,130/yr | $37,900 – $50,650 | Schools • Registry |
| Wyoming (WY) 75 Hours (16 Clinical) | $18.83/hr | $39,160/yr | $33,390 – $49,610 | Schools • Registry |
2. How Workplace Setting Impacts CNA Hourly Wages
Beyond geographic location, the type of healthcare facility where you work is the single largest driver of total nurse aide compensation:
- General Medical & Surgical Hospitals ($20.85 – $26.50/hr): Acute-care hospitals typically classify CNAs as Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) or Unit Assistants. Hospitals offer the highest base hourly rates, comprehensive tuition assistance for RN/BSN bridge degrees, and structured evening ($1.75–$2.50/hr), night ($3.00–$4.50/hr), and weekend shift differentials. Read our Hospital CNA Staffing & Pay Guide.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities & Continuing Care Retirement Communities ($18.10 – $22.90/hr): Long-term care facilities employ the largest share of newly certified nurse aides. Under federal OBRA 1987 rules, Medicaid/Medicare-certified nursing homes must reimburse 100% of your CNA tuition and exam costs if you are hired within 12 months of certification, plus many offer sign-on bonuses and overtime incentives. Explore our Long-Term Care CNA Guide.
- Government, VA Medical Centers & State Psychiatric Hospitals ($21.50 – $27.80/hr): Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and state-operated long-term care facilities compensate nursing assistants on structured GS/state civil service step scales with pension benefits, federal holiday double-time pay, and paid leave.
- Home Health, Hospice & PRN Per-Diem Staffing Agencies ($17.80 – $28.00+/hr): While standard home care agencies pay near the state median (plus IRS mileage reimbursement for multi-client travel), experienced CNAs with at least 6 to 12 months of SNF clinical experience frequently pick up PRN per-diem registry shifts paying $24.00 to $30.00+ per hour to cover acute facility call-outs.
3. Five Proven Strategies to Maximize Your Hourly Pay as a CNA
- Stack Evening, Night, and Weekend Differentials: Working a 3:00 PM–11:00 PM or 11:00 PM–7:00 AM shift—or a Baylor weekend program (two 12-hour weekend shifts paid as 36–40 hours)—routinely boosts effective annual earnings by $4,500 to $8,000 over weekday daytime shifts.
- Add Stackable Specialty Certifications (CMA, Phlebotomy, EKG): Completing a state-approved Medication Aide (CMA/MNA) course, Phlebotomy certification, or EKG Technician module qualifies you for Emergency Department Tech and Telemetry PCT roles paying $2.50 to $5.00/hr above entry-level CNA rates.
- Leverage Out-of-State Reciprocity in Border Metros: If you live near a state border (for example, commuting into New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, or California), transferring your active license via CNA reciprocity lets you capture higher metropolitan wage scales without repeating training.
- Claim Mandatory OBRA 1987 Tuition Reimbursement: Save your itemized receipts from any state-approved CNA training program and exam testing vendor so your first skilled nursing facility employer reimburses your out-of-pocket costs on a pro-rata basis.
- Use Employer Tuition Waivers for LPN-to-RN Bridge Tracks: Transitioning from CNA ($39,610 median) to Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse ($60,790+ median) or Registered Nurse ($89,010+ median) utilizing hospital tuition benefits delivers the highest long-term return on your clinical experience.