Curious to know a CNA’s salary? Planning on becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in the U.S., but are concerned about how much you may get paid? No worries!
This article is all about the CNA’s salary, the demand for CNAs, industries that offer high-paying jobs for CNAs, and benefits offered to CNAs in the healthcare industry. Read more to get a clear understanding of how much CNAs are getting paid in the industry and how much you can earn as a CNA.
What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are healthcare professionals who take care of patients under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. They are entry-level members of a patient’s healthcare team.
CNAs are not nurses, but they work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The main duties of CNAs are to provide basic care to patients and help them perform their daily tasks.
As CNAs get the opportunity to work more closely with patients than doctors or nurses, they also observe and understand the patient’s health statuses and behavioral changes, if any.
You can check out our article to learn more about the 5 CNA job responsibilities you will be doing as a certified nursing assistant.
Employment Opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
If you are wondering about what is a CNA’s salary, you must first learn about the employment opportunities available for CNAs in the U.S.
Considering the growing population of senior citizens across the country, the need for caretakers who are healthcare professionals is also increasing. This profession also gives you the opportunity to advance in your career with specialization certifications as well.
The certified nursing assistant is a stable profession and the demand for CNAs will keep increasing considering the need for healthcare professionals who assist senior citizens to perform their daily tasks is rising.
According to the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- The number of jobs available was 1,389,900.
- The job outlook from 2021-2031 is 5%.
- Employment change from 2021-2031 is projected to be 64,900.
The U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that on average, there are to be about 220,200 job openings for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) each year, over the next decade. Most of these job openings are the result of the need to replace employees who have transferred to a different occupation or have retired and exited the labour force.
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE | EMPLOYMENT 2021 | EMPLOYMENT PROJECTED 2031 | CHANGE 2021-2031(PERCENTAGE) | CHANGE 2021-2031(NUMERIC) |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,343,700 | 1,406,400 | 5% | 64,900 |
Demand for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
Here are some employment projections made by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that can help you to make better decisions about the industry.
Below is a list of some industries where the employment levels are high for certified nursing assistants:
| INDUSTRY | EMPLOYMENT | INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT PERCENTAGE |
| Nursing Care Facilities(skilled nursing facilities) | 471,160 | 33.48 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 386,510 | 6.91 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 140,850 | 15.80 |
| Home Health Care Services | 83,560 | 5.52 |
| Individual and Family Services | 38,910 | 1.12 |
Below is a list of some industries where the employment concentration is high for certified nursing assistants:
| INDUSTRY | EMPLOYMENT | INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT PERCENTAGE |
| Nursing Care Facilities(skilled nursing facilities) | 471,160 | 33.48 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 140,850 | 15.80 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 26,100 | 9.67 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 386,510 | 6.91 |
| Home Health Care Services | 83,560 | 5.52 |
Now that you know about the employment opportunities and the demand for CNAs in the U.S., you may be wondering what could be a CNA’s salary in the U.S. Read more to learn more about the CNA’s salary and the top-paying industries for CNAs.
What is a CNA’s Salary?
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who start their careers as freshers tend to make the mistake of taking the first job offer they get. The first job you take lays the base of your career and determines your career path. So, it is important to make a wise choice.
There are many certified nursing assistant jobs at nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, home health agencies, and long and short-term care facilities that may offer higher pay at more specialized facilities.
To find out the answer to the question, “How much do certified nursing assistants earn?”, it is necessary to look into the industries that provide higher pay for certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
The average pay stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are as follows:
- Annual average salary – $30,290 per year.
- Hourly average salary – $14.56 per hour.
Top Paying Industries for Certified Nursing Assistants(CNAs)
Here are some stats gathered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that can help you to make better decisions about the industry.
Below is a list of some industries where the employment levels are high for certified nursing assistants:
| INDUSTRY | AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE | AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE |
| Nursing Care Facilities(skilled nursing facilities) | $ 15.43 | $32,090 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $16.92 | $35,190 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $15.15 | $31,520 |
| Home Health Care Services | $14.39 | $29,930 |
| Individual and Family Services | $16.83 | $35,000 |
Here is a list of some industries where the employment concentration is high for certified nursing assistants:
| INDUSTRY | AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE | AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE |
| Nursing Care Facilities(skilled nursing facilities) | $15.43 | $32,090 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $15.15 | $31,520 |
| Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) Hospitals | $17.02 | $35,400 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $16.92 | $35,190 |
| Home Health Care Services | $14.39 | $29,930 |
You can check out our articles on, a guide to the best cities for CNAs in the US to learn about the best cities to practice as a CNA.
Benefits Offered for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
Based on your employer and whether you are a part-time or full-time employee, there are a variety of benefits available for certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Here are some of the benefits offered for CNAs in the U.S.
- PAID LEAVE
Paid leave allows you to take off work while your salary is still being paid. This is generally based on the number of months or years you have worked for the company or employer.
- A RETIREMENT PLAN
A retirement plan allows you to save some of your earnings for when you retire. Some companies offer CNAs a tax-advantaged retirement plan.
- INSURANCE
CNAs are offered health insurance benefits by their employer, particularly to full-time CNAs. The type of insurance varies based on the employer, which may include dental, medical, disability, or accidental insurance.
- A REFERRAL BONUS
A referral bonus is given to CNAs who refer employees to the employer for recruitment. The person who makes the referral gets a bonus if the new hire remains at the company for a certain period of time.
- TUITION ASSISTANCE
Tuition assistance is a benefit offered to CNAs who are full-time employees. They are given reimbursement for some or all of their educational expenses. This is a useful benefit for CNAs wanting to continue their education in the healthcare sector.
Wrapping up
Starting your career in a stable and growing industry is the best choice you can make for your future. The demand for certified nursing assistants is likely to keep increasing over the next few years, which paves the way to higher job opportunities. Once you enter the nursing field, a CNA’s salary will keep increasing over the time by gaining extra qualifications and experiences.
As a CNA professional, you have many benefits and the opportunity to advance in your career path. If you are passionate about becoming a certified nursing assistant, you must try our free CNA practice tests to help you prepare for the exam in an efficient way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is the salary of a CNA in the USA?
The average pay stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are as follows:
- Annual average salary – $30,290 per year.
- Hourly average salary – $14.56 per hour.
Where can a CNA work?
There are many certified nursing assistant jobs, such as:
- Nursing homes.
- Hospitals.
- Hospices.
- Home health agencies.
- Long and short-term care facilities.
Is a CNA considered a nurse?
No. CNAs are not nurses, but they work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The main duty of CNAs is to provide basic care to patients and help them perform their daily tasks.
Related Reads
13 Essential CNA Supplies for Work You Shouldn’t Miss
States that Provide Free Reciprocity for CNA License: A Comprehensive Guide
