How Much Does a CNA Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$42,260
CNAs in the U.S. earn a median of $42,260 a year, or $20.32 an hour. Half of CNAs earn more than $42,260 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $51,980.
Pay percentiles for CNAs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.32 | $33,940 |
| 25th | $17.91 | $37,260 |
| 50th (median) | $20.32 | $42,260 |
| 75th | $22.70 | $47,220 |
| 90th | $24.99 | $51,980 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for CNAs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 | $23.96 | +18% |
| Washington | $49,180 | $23.65 | +16% |
| New York | $48,590 | $23.36 | +15% |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | $23.02 | +13% |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | $22.93 | +13% |
| California | $47,630 | $22.90 | +13% |
| Colorado | $47,380 | $22.78 | +12% |
| Vermont | $47,130 | $22.66 | +12% |
| Maine | $47,070 | $22.63 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $46,830 | $22.52 | +11% |
| United States | $42,260 | $20.32 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many CNAs are there?
BLS counts about 1,448,910 CNAs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Nursing Assistants”. The most jobs are in California (110,060), Florida (96,960) and Texas (88,680).
The mean (average) annual wage is $42,700, higher than the median of $42,260.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,522
- Biweekly
- $1,625
- Weekly
- $813
- Daily (8 hours)
- $163
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do CNAs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for CNAs is $20.32. The middle 50% earn between $17.91 and $22.70 an hour.
Which state pays CNAs the most?
Oregon has the highest median wage for CNAs at $49,830, +18% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for CNAs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of CNAs earn less than $33,940 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.