Best Ways to Increase Your Wages as a CNA

Earning a comfortable salary is a major concern for most all people today including those who work as CNAs. Currently, the average salary for nursing assistants is around $29,640 per year, which is not too shabby considering CNAs do not need degrees. But what if you find that you need more than the average CNA salary?

Can you increase your wages as a nursing assistant, and if you can, just what do you need to do? These are common questions asked by CNAs all over the country. In fact, there are several things that you can do as a nursing assistant to increase your salary, and you will find some of the top methods discussed in brief below.

Obtain Additional Training

Perhaps the best way to increase your wages as a CNA is to obtain additional training. Employers are often much more inclined to offer higher wages to nursing assistants who possess specialty certifications than to those who do not have any such credentials. While there are many different specialty certifications you can choose to earn, those listed below are among the most popular ones today.

• Phlebotomy
• IV Administration
• Geriatric Care
• Home Healthcare
• Hospice and Palliative Care

Choose A High-Paying Employer

Another way to ensure top wages as a nursing assistant is to apply for employment with a high-paying employer. Some employers simply pay higher wages to their CNAs than other employers do. But just what types of medical facilities offer the best salaries for nursing assistants these days? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers in these industries paid the best wages to CNAs in 2019:

• Scientific Research and Development Services - $42,210
• Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) - $39,090
• Junior Colleges - $38,970
• Facilities Support Services - $37,630
• Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools - $37,090

Consider Relocating To A Higher-Paying Area

Just as some employers offer better pay for CNAs, some cities and states offer higher wages as well. The reason for this is because some areas have larger populations resulting in higher demands for healthcare. With that said, if you wish to increase your salary as a CNA, you may want to consider relocating to one of the cities or states listed below.

• Alaska - $40,320
• New York State - $38,810
• Hawaii - $37,710
• California - $36,630
• District of Columbia - $35,320
• Salinas, CA - $46,170
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA - $45,100
• Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA - $44,710
• Fairbank, AK - $41,900
• Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI - $40,080

Prove That You Deserve A Raise

If you cannot relocate or obtain employment with a different employer, an effective way to increase your CNA wages is to prove that you are deserving of a raise. Make yourself visible to your employer and go above and beyond what is required of your position. Now, you may be wondering how you can accomplish this. There are several ways to prove your worthiness to your employer, and some of the best methods are as follows:

• Strive for Perfect Work Attendance
• Volunteer for Extra Shifts When You Can
• Maintain Professionalism and a Cheerful Attitude
• Show Respect to Your Superiors
• Help Your Teammates Whenever Possible
• Complete Your Work Within the Required Time Frame

Consider Advancing In Your Career

Finally, choosing to advance in your career is a terrific way to increase your pay if you are a CNA. If you choose this option, you will be required to enroll in an accredited training facility and obtain additional training. The most popular career advancement option for CNAs today is training for an LPN or LVN career; however, more and more CNAs these days are choosing to become RNs by earning their associate degrees in nursing.

Conclusion

There are many ways to increase your wages as a CNA including by earning specialty certifications, proving your worthiness and choosing a high-paying employer.