CNA salary by state: nursing assistant pay in every state, ranked
The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the U.S. median for nursing assistants at $42,260 a year (about $20.32 an hour), across 1,448,910 jobs. Pay depends heavily on the state: Oregon has the highest median at $49,830 and Puerto Rico the lowest at $22,850, a gap of $26,980. 24 of 53 states and territories are above the national median.
Nursing assistant pay by state, ranked by median
All employers, all experience levels. Hourly figures are annual ÷ 2,080, the conversion BLS uses. Middle 50% means the 25th to 75th percentile.
| # | State | Median | Hourly | Middle 50% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $49,830 | $23.96 | $47,480–$59,080 | 14,800 |
| 2 | Washington | $49,180 | $23.64 | $46,980–$57,930 | 30,270 |
| 3 | New York | $48,590 | $23.36 | $43,760–$51,980 | 87,990 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $47,870 | $23.01 | $44,890–$54,400 | 7,810 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,700 | $22.93 | $42,400–$51,850 | 3,490 |
| 6 | California | $47,630 | $22.90 | $45,850–$54,800 | 110,060 |
| 7 | Colorado | $47,380 | $22.78 | $44,550–$49,920 | 22,240 |
| 8 | Vermont | $47,130 | $22.66 | $40,850–$48,940 | 3,030 |
| 9 | Maine | $47,070 | $22.63 | $44,200–$50,190 | 8,540 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $46,830 | $22.51 | $43,950–$48,760 | 32,400 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $46,680 | $22.44 | $44,340–$49,800 | 38,130 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $46,680 | $22.44 | $40,340–$49,330 | 29,120 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $46,440 | $22.33 | $44,760–$47,460 | 10,220 |
| 14 | Alaska | $46,370 | $22.29 | $45,120–$52,240 | 2,060 |
| 15 | Illinois | $45,960 | $22.10 | $39,420–$48,380 | 68,640 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $45,820 | $22.03 | $36,410–$47,950 | 6,840 |
| 17 | Nevada | $45,490 | $21.87 | $39,100–$47,990 | 8,100 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $45,350 | $21.80 | $40,060–$50,440 | 5,050 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $45,130 | $21.70 | $39,580–$47,320 | 28,370 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $44,790 | $21.53 | $41,900–$47,180 | 21,380 |
| 21 | Arizona | $44,780 | $21.53 | $38,320–$46,630 | 20,320 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $21.44 | $39,270–$46,850 | 67,740 |
| 23 | Maryland | $43,240 | $20.79 | $38,400–$45,760 | 27,720 |
| 24 | Virginia | $43,200 | $20.77 | $37,020–$46,930 | 40,580 |
| 25 | Delaware | $42,030 | $20.21 | $38,490–$45,210 | 5,530 |
| 26 | Montana | $40,900 | $19.66 | $38,040–$47,550 | 4,390 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $40,000 | $19.23 | $38,030–$46,410 | 16,450 |
| 28 | Utah | $39,840 | $19.15 | $37,040–$44,350 | 12,260 |
| 29 | Michigan | $39,570 | $19.02 | $38,160–$44,910 | 43,290 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $39,390 | $18.94 | $37,310–$45,410 | 4,750 |
| 31 | Iowa | $39,350 | $18.92 | $37,360–$45,650 | 22,670 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $39,160 | $18.83 | $37,180–$47,340 | 2,830 |
| 33 | Ohio | $39,010 | $18.75 | $37,300–$44,590 | 63,280 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $38,800 | $18.65 | $36,830–$43,940 | 6,860 |
| 35 | Idaho | $38,650 | $18.58 | $36,300–$46,250 | 7,910 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $38,460 | $18.49 | $35,950–$43,850 | 64,010 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $38,370 | $18.45 | $36,150–$44,120 | 23,410 |
| 38 | Indiana | $38,330 | $18.43 | $37,020–$44,420 | 33,640 |
| 39 | Kansas | $38,010 | $18.27 | $36,210–$44,170 | 24,610 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $37,990 | $18.26 | $35,560–$40,880 | 27,040 |
| 41 | Georgia | $37,680 | $18.12 | $35,490–$42,980 | 43,440 |
| 42 | Missouri | $37,680 | $18.12 | $35,400–$41,600 | 34,050 |
| 43 | Florida | $37,510 | $18.03 | $36,040–$42,310 | 96,960 |
| 44 | Texas | $37,500 | $18.03 | $35,300–$43,070 | 88,680 |
| 45 | Virgin Islands | $37,240 | $17.90 | $37,240–$40,090 | 110 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $37,220 | $17.89 | $34,960–$39,690 | 21,760 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $36,720 | $17.65 | $35,460–$38,410 | 9,390 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $35,930 | $17.27 | $32,900–$38,250 | 19,410 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $34,430 | $16.55 | $30,200–$36,070 | 17,260 |
| 50 | Alabama | $34,140 | $16.41 | $30,060–$36,390 | 25,250 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $31,520 | $15.15 | $29,520–$35,200 | 14,200 |
| 52 | Louisiana | $30,510 | $14.67 | $29,070–$35,100 | 20,690 |
| 53 | Puerto Rico | $22,850 | $10.99 | $21,840–$37,310 | 430 |
How to use this
A state median is a starting point, not your number: metro pay inside one state can differ by 20% or more, and BLS covers all experience levels together. Look up your metro, then run the free check to see your percentile. If you’re below the 75th percentile for your metro (nursing assistant nationally: $47,220), that gap is usually a reasonable ask.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA disclosure data, FY2026 Q3 (certified, full-time). Base wages only. Not financial advice.
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