Last Updated: May 2026
CNA Salary 2026: How Much Do CNAs Make Per Hour and Per Year?
Quick Answer
CNAs earn $38,200/year ($18.37/hr) based on the latest BLS data nationally. Hospital CNAs earn more ($42,500/yr) than nursing home CNAs ($34,200/yr). California tops the state rankings at $51,000/year. The jump to LPN adds $16,800/year; the jump to RN adds $39,800/year.
CNAs are the backbone of bedside care — but CNA pay varies by $10,000–$25,000 depending on state, employer type, and shift. Here's exactly what CNAs earn in 2026, where pay is highest, and how the career ladder stacks up financially.
CNA Salary by State (2026)
California CNAs earn 33% more than the national average — driven by the state's minimum wage laws, strong union contracts, and mandatory staffing ratios that increase demand for all bedside staff.
CNA Average Salary by State
| State | Avg Annual Salary | Avg Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $51,000 | $24.52/hr |
| Washington | $48,000 | $23.08/hr |
| Alaska | $47,000 | $22.60/hr |
| New York | $45,000 | $21.63/hr |
| Massachusetts | $44,000 | $21.15/hr |
| Oregon | $42,000 | $20.19/hr |
| National Average | $38,200 | $18.37/hr |
| Texas | $33,000 | $15.87/hr |
| Florida | $32,500 | $15.63/hr |
| Mississippi | $28,000 | $13.46/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025
CNA Salary by Work Setting
Hospital CNAs consistently out-earn their counterparts in nursing homes and assisted living. If maximizing CNA pay is the goal, targeting inpatient hospital positions — especially ICU step-down, emergency department, or labor & delivery — yields the best hourly rates.
CNA Pay by Employer Type (2026)
| Work Setting | Avg Annual Salary | Avg Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital (inpatient) | $42,500 | $20.43/hr |
| Home Health / Hospice | $38,800 | $18.65/hr |
| Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) | $37,500 | $18.03/hr |
| Assisted Living | $35,000 | $16.83/hr |
| Nursing Home / LTC | $34,200 | $16.44/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025
CNA vs. LPN vs. RN: The Career Ladder
The most impactful financial decision a CNA can make is pursuing the LPN or RN credential. The salary jump is immediate and dramatic — an LPN earns $16,800/year more than a CNA, and an RN earns nearly $40,000–$48,000/year more. Both credentials can be earned while working as a CNA.
Nursing Career Ladder — Salary by Credential
| Credential | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate & Premium |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | $38,200/yr | $18.37/hr |
| LPN/LVN | $55,000/yr | $26.44/hr — +$16,800/yr |
| RN (ADN) | $78,000/yr | $37.50/hr — +$39,800/yr vs CNA |
| RN (BSN) | $86,000/yr | $41.35/hr — +$47,800/yr vs CNA |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $126,000/yr | $60.58/hr — +$87,800/yr vs CNA |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
See the full comparison: LPN salary 2026 and entry-level RN salary 2026.
How to Increase Your CNA Pay
- Target hospital employers. The $4,300/year gap between hospital and nursing home CNA pay is significant. Applying to inpatient hospital positions is the fastest way to raise CNA earnings without additional credentials.
- Pursue specialty certifications. CCRN-certified nursing assistants, geriatric care certifications (CNA-G), and medication aide certifications (where permitted) add $1–$3/hr at many facilities.
- Work nights and weekends. Night differentials ($1–$3/hr) and weekend premiums apply to CNAs at most hospitals, adding $2,000–$5,000/year.
- Negotiate at offer stage. CNA pay bands have more range than most new hires realize — asking for the top of the posted range is reasonable, especially with 2+ years of experience.
- Start an LPN bridge program. Most LPN programs run 12–18 months. The $16,800/year salary jump means the program pays for itself within the first year of LPN employment.
Related Salary Guides
LPN Salary 2026
The next step up from CNA
New Grad RN Salary 2026
What RNs make starting out
Nurse Practitioner Salary 2026
Top of the nursing career ladder
Nursing Salary by Specialty
Full credential and specialty breakdown
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do CNAs make per hour in 2026?
How much does a CNA make a year?
How much more does an LPN make than a CNA?
What state pays CNAs the most?
Do hospital CNAs make more than nursing home CNAs?
Is becoming a CNA worth it financially?
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