How Much Money Do Nursing Assistants Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nursing assistants make a median salary of $30,310 each year or $14.57 per hour. The bottom 10 percent of nursing assistants earn less than $23,880 per year, while the top 10 percent of nursing assistants earn more than $44,240 annually.

Do Nursing Assistants Get Paid Well?

Nursing assistants earn less than the national average ($45,760). However, they earn slightly more than health care workers in similar occupations. The median salary for Healthcare support occupations is $29,880. Nursing Assistants typically have a postsecondary nondegree award. When compared to professions that require a similar level of education, nursing assistants earn less. Other professions that require a postsecondary nondegree award have a median salary of $44,420 per year.

How Much Do Nursing Assistants Get Starting Out?

The BLS does not provide average compensation data for entry-level positions for nursing assistants just starting out, but the bottom 25 percent of nursing assistants earn $28,900 each year.

How Many Nursing Assistants Are There in the United States?

There are 1,343,700 nursing assistants in the U.S.

How Can I Become a CNA? 

Getting certified as a CNA typically requires a class that can take anywhere from four to eight weeks—and sometimes longer. To learn more about becoming a CNA and what they do, check out or guide: How to Become a CNA. 

CNA Salary by State: What is The Highest Paying State for CNAs?

The table below compares CNA salaries across states and U.S. territories (Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wages May 2020). You can also find data for the number of certified nursing assistants in each state as well as the number of certified nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs—a figure that can help you determine the job's popularity in a given location. Not all locations have employment statistics.