May 2025 BLS data
Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary by state
The national median nursing assistant (cna) earns $42,260/year ($20.32/hr) — but state medians span $30,510 to $49,830. Where you work matters enormously.
All states, ranked by median pay
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| 2 | Washington | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| 3 | New York | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $47,870 | $23.02 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| 6 | California | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 7 | Colorado | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| 8 | Vermont | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| 9 | Maine | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 14 | Alaska | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| 15 | Illinois | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| 17 | Nevada | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| 21 | Arizona | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| 23 | Maryland | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| 24 | Virginia | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| 25 | Delaware | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| 26 | Montana | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| 28 | Utah | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| 29 | Michigan | $39,570 | $19.03 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| 31 | Iowa | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 33 | Ohio | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| 35 | Idaho | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| 38 | Indiana | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| 39 | Kansas | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| 41 | Georgia | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| 42 | Missouri | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| 43 | Florida | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| 44 | Texas | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| 49 | Alabama | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $31,520 | $15.15 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $30,510 | $14.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. States without published estimates for this role are omitted.
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What do people in your role actually earn?
Other healthcare roles
- Registered Nurse$97,550/yr
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300/yr
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)$64,400/yr
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)$236,590/yr
- Nurse Midwife$134,040/yr
- Medical Assistant$45,690/yr
- Home Health & Personal Care Aide$35,800/yr
- Phlebotomist$45,230/yr
- Surgical Technologist$64,650/yr
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant (cna) make?
Nationally, the median nursing assistant (cna) earns $42,260 per year ($20.32/hr), with most earning between $33,940 and $51,980 (May 2025 BLS data).
Which state pays nursing assistant (cna)s the most?
Oregon leads with a median of $49,830 per year, followed by Washington ($49,180) and New York ($48,590).
Do these numbers include overtime and differentials?
BLS wage estimates include base pay, incentive pay, and cost-of-living allowances, but exclude overtime premiums. Shift differentials and certification pay can push real take-home meaningfully above these figures.