Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in the United States (2026)
The median Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the US is $39,430 per year - about $3,286/month or $19/hour. Here is the full pay range, by experience level, based on 1,332,650 Nursing Assistants tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Certified Nursing Assistant salary by experience level
Pay rises sharply with experience. These bands are based on the BLS wage percentiles for Nursing Assistants - entry-level roles cluster near the 10th-25th percentile, while senior and lead roles reach the 75th-90th.
Early-career and junior roles (10th-25th percentile).
The median - what a typical Certified Nursing Assistant earns.
Senior, lead and specialist roles (75th-90th percentile).
Full Certified Nursing Assistant salary distribution
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025. Occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131). bls.gov/oes
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How much does a Certified Nursing Assistant make?
A Certified Nursing Assistant in the United States earns a median of $39,430 per year as of 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earn under $30,020, while the top 10% earn more than $51,420 - a spread of $21,400 driven mostly by experience, location, industry and company size.
With roughly 1,332,650 people employed in this occupation nationally, Certified Nursing Assistant is one of the more established career paths - which means more openings, but also more competition per role. Applying early and at volume is the single biggest lever most candidates ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a Certified Nursing Assistant make in the US?
The median Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the United States is $39,430 per year (2025), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to about $19 per hour.
What is the entry-level Certified Nursing Assistant salary?
Entry-level Certified Nursing Assistant roles typically pay between $30,020 and $34,220 per year, corresponding to the 10th-25th wage percentiles for this occupation.
What is the highest Certified Nursing Assistant salary?
The top 10% of Certified Nursing Assistants earn more than $51,420 per year. Senior, lead and specialist roles, plus high-cost metros and high-paying industries, push compensation toward the top of the range.
How can I earn more as a Certified Nursing Assistant?
The fastest way to raise your pay is to change roles - candidates who move companies typically see larger raises than internal increases. LoopCV helps by automatically applying to Certified Nursing Assistant jobs for you every day, so you get more offers to negotiate from.