CNA Salary – How Much Does A CNA Make In 2024?

You may be considering becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or just want to learn more about this profession. Whatever the case may be, below are some information that may be useful about CNA Salary.

How much does a CNA make?

 

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a high-demand career that can provide a stable and versatile role for people who choose to work in the healthcare sector.

CNAs earn an average hourly rate of $14.82 and a median annual CNA salary of $30,850, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data as of May 2020. The median salary is the amount wherein half of the CNA earns more than that and the other half earns less. The lowest 10% of CNAs earn less than $22,750 and the highest 10% earn more than $44,500. 

The CNA salary can be influenced by several factors. Since the cost of living in the South is usually lower, the average per hour is lower. The cost of food, lodging, and transportation is significantly lower than in the northern part of the country. The hourly pay is also increased by the experience and seniority in the industry. Working on a night shift increases the hourly rate as well. It may also depend on the education and training that you took. Hospitals and nursing homes often provide advanced training for CNAs to progress their level.

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Average CNA salary by State

According to the State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2020, the average annual CNA salary in various states ranged from $22,350 to $42,500. With an average annual wage of $42,500, Alaska has the highest average pay for CNAs, followed by New York City with an average annual wage of $40,620.

State	Average Hourly Wage	Average Annual Wage
Alabama	$12.31	$25,600
Alaska	$20.43	$42,500
Arizona	$16.17	$33,630
Arkansas	$12.76	$26,550
California	$18.89	$39,280
Colorado	$16.57	$34,470
Connecticut	$17.02	$35,400
Delaware	$15.86	$32,980
District of Columbia	$17.78	$36,980
Florida	$13.78	$28,660
Georgia	$14.88	$30,950
Guam	$14.02	$29,160
Hawaii	$18.58	$38,650
Idaho	$14.12	$29,370
Illinois	$14.98	$31,160
Indiana	$14.24	$29,610
Iowa	$15.13	$31,480
Kansas	$13.71	$28,510
Kentucky	$13.45	$27,980
Louisiana	$11.68	$24,300
Maine	$15.71	$32,670
Maryland	$16.27	$33,840
Massachusetts	$17.86	$37,160
Michigan	$15.40	$32,030
Minnesota	$17.33	$36,040
Mississippi	$11.73	$24,400
Missouri	$13.33	$27,720
Montana	$15.25	$31,720
Nebraska	$14.79	$30,770
Nevada	$16.48	$34,280
New Hampshire	$16.61	$34,550
New Jersey	$15.88	$33,030
New Mexico	$14.56	$30,290
New York	$19.53	$40,620
North Carolina	$13.37	$27,800
North Dakota	$17.07	$35,510
Ohio	$14.28	$29,710
Oklahoma	$13.09	$27,220
Oregon	$17.83	$37,100
Pennsylvania	$15.65	$32,560
Puerto Rico	$10.75	$22,350
Rhode Island	$16.48	$34,280
South Carolina	$13.35	$27,760
South Dakota	$13.88	$28,870
Tennessee	$13.43	$27,940
Texas	$13.97	$29,050
Utah	$14.54	$30,240
Vermont	$16.08	$33,450
Virgin Islands	$18.31	$38,080
Virginia	$14.18	$29,490
Washington	$17.46	$36,310
Washington DC	$17.78	$36,980
West Virginia	$13.56	$28,200
Wisconsin	$15.66	$32,560
Wyoming	$15.94	$33,160

What benefits are offered to CNAs

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are eligible for a variety of benefits, depending on their employer and whether they work part-time or full-time. The benefits that are provided to CNAs can also be affected by their location. Among the benefits are:

• Insurance

Employers usually provide health insurance to CNAs, particularly to full-time ones. This varies depending on the capability of the employer which may include medical, dental, accidental, or disability insurance.

• Tuition assistance

This program provides employees, usually full-time CNAs, with reimbursement of some or all of their educational expenses. This is particularly useful if the CNA wants to continue their education in the medical sector.

• Paid leave

Paid leave allows workers to take days off while still being paid. This is normally calculated based on the number of years you’ve worked for the company.

• Retirement plan

A company may offer a tax-advantaged retirement package to CNAs, which allows them to put aside a percentage of their earnings and save it for retirement. Following that, the company would match the employee’s contribution.

• Referral bonus

This is usually given when an employee refers a recruit to the employer. The person who referred the recruit gets bonuses or another type of bonus if the new hire remains with the company for a specified period.

Highest-Paying skills for CNAs

Apart from the practical skills required to become a CNA, the additional skills you can provide, as well as the job task, have a huge effect on the hourly pay. The highest paying skills for CNAs include:

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Skills

ICUs are for patients who are in critical condition and need continuous supervision. This is a fast-paced environment in which CNAs must provide constant monitoring and care to ensure that the patients’ conditions remain stable.

• Operating Room (OR) Skills

CNAs with OR skills assist in prepping patients for surgery, setting up equipment, and preparation of the operating room.

• Telemetry Skills

The recording of vital signs of patients with acute diagnoses using different medical devices is referred to as telemetry. CNAs that can use medical equipment and read its output are compensated further.

• Emergency Room (ER) Skills

The ER is a fast-paced hectic setting depending on the number of patients each day. CNAs who work in the emergency room will make more money, but they must be able to work under pressure. They’ll almost certainly be taking vital signs, drawing blood for examinations, and arranging the ER beds for new patients.

Read more >>> 25 CNA Skills You Need To Know

Where can I find CNA jobs?

From 2019 to 2029, the job rate for CNAs is expected to rise by 8%. This is because the baby-boomer generation is aging, necessitating more healthcare assistance. Older individuals are more likely to have various chronic disorders, such as dementia, which need CNAs to care for patients with this condition.

You may find CNA jobs in the following top industry including the average annual income as of May 2020:

• Government

Being a CNA under the government offers an annual average salary of $37,240.

• Hospitals (state, local, and private)

For state, local, and private hospitals, the average annual wage for CNAs is $32,160.

• Nursing care facilities

When you opt for a skilled nursing facility, the average annual salary reaches $30,120.

• Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly

Working for retirement communities as a CNA may give you an average of $30,020 annual income.

• Home healthcare services

As for the home healthcare services, the annual average wage is $29,210.

Most nursing assistants are working full-time but some opt to work part-time. Since healthcare is required at all times, working as a CNA can require you to work during the day, at night, on weekends, and even on holidays.

Hope the above information helps you more understand about CNA salary as well as choose a suitable position for your ability. If you have any questions or recommendations, please reach out to us at [email protected]!