How Much Can I Earn as a CNA?

If you are looking to know how much does a certified nursing assistant (CNA) make, you have come to the right place. While the answer to the question "how much CNAs earn" varies depending on various factors, the following information will help to give you a good idea of the earning potential of these valuable healthcare professionals.

National Average CNA Salary

Salaries for CNAs vary a bit from year to year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average CNA salary in 2019 was $29,640 per year or $14.25 per hour. According to Salary.com, the current average hourly wage for a CNA is $16. Of course, these are only national averages. The current salary range typically falls between $14 and $17 per hour. There are several factors that can determine where you will fall on this salary range. The next section examines some of these factors.

Factors Affecting CNA Salary

There are many factors that can affect your salary as a certified nursing assistant. Depending on the following factors, you may earn more or less than the average national CNA salary. We hope this gives you a better idea of your earning potential in this rapidly growing field.

• Experience Working as a CNA - Those with more experience often demand higher wages.
• The State and City Where You Work - Some locations offer higher salaries.
• The Employer You Work For - Some employers pay better than others.
• The Type of Facility You Work In - Some facilities pay higher salaries than others.

Top-Paying Facilities For CNAs

As stated above, some facilities offer higher salaries to their certified nursing assistants than others do. A listing of some of these top-paying facilities (according to information gathered from the U.S. Department of Labor) can be found in the following section.

• Research Facilities
• Private and Specialty Hospitals
• Government Facilities
• Hospice Care Centers
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Home Healthcare Companies

CNA Career Outlook

One of the best things about choosing to become a certified nursing assistant today is that the demand for them is quite high in most areas of the United States. Furthermore, according to the United States Department of Labor, overall employment of CNAs is projected to grow at a rate of 8% from 2019 to 2029!

This rate is much faster than the average for all occupations. There are several reasons for this growing demand including those listed here.

• Aging Baby Boomers
• Longer Life Spans
• Greater Awareness of Proper Healthcare
• Growing Demand for Structured Long-Term Care

Conclusion

While the average salary for CNAs in 2019 was $29,640, there are many factors that can affect this figure including your experience, location, and employer.