How Much Does a CNA Make?
Key Takeaways
- CNA pay varies by setting, with general medical and surgical hospitals paying the most on average.
- Employment is projected to grow through 2034, so the job is stable.
- You can earn more through overtime and by adding certifications or moving up to LPN or RN.
What CNAs Earn by Setting
Your workplace is the biggest factor in your pay. Here is how the main settings compare.
General medical and surgical hospitals pay the most, averaging $40,840. You work under a nurse, providing personal care for a varied patient population with a wide range of needs.
Skilled nursing facilities average $38,730. You provide daily personal care to residents, often the same people over a long period.
Home health care services average $35,640. You visit patients in their homes and handle daily tasks and basic care such as taking vital signs.
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
You can also earn extra through overtime. Because CNAs do not need an advanced degree, federal law requires time-and-a-half pay for hours worked over 40 in a week. Positions that require an advanced degree are classified as exempt and do not get overtime, but that does not apply to you.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects CNA employment to grow 2% from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations, but with roughly 211,800 openings each year (mostly from workers leaving the field). Most of that demand comes from hospitals and clinics.
CNA jobs in nursing homes can be harder to find, since many depend on government funding that often rises slower than the cost of care. That can leave a facility with less money to hire. Even so, the ongoing nursing shortage keeps nursing careers stable overall, which matters if you plan to advance later.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities run 24/7, so expect nights, weekends, and holidays. If you face competition for a position and you are flexible on hours, say so early. It can set you apart.
How to Advance
Furthering your education moves you up. The next step is LPN, where you may supervise CNAs and take on more responsibility. Look for CNA-to-LPN bridge programs that apply your CNA training and experience toward LPN requirements.
You can also raise your earning potential with a specialty certification. "There are many certifications, such as bathing aides, oral care aides, restorative aides, and oncology aides, all of which offer advancement at the bedside without changing to another career," says Genevieve Gipson, RN, MEd, RNC, director of the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants.
Each credential is awarded by a different organization that sets its own experience and education standards. Common options include:
- CNA II, offered by some state boards to CNAs with advanced training or experience
- Certified Alzheimer Caregiver, National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant, Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association
- Certified Wound Care Associate, American Board of Wound Management
- Medication Aide Certification, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Another path is to cross over to medical assisting through a CNA-to-CMA bridge program. Pay runs slightly higher, and most medical assistants work in physicians' offices with more regular hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CNA make a year?
The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $39,530 as of May 2024, according to the BLS. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $31,390 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $50,140, so where you work and how long you have been at it move the number a lot.
Which CNA setting pays the most?
General medical and surgical hospitals pay the most among the major settings, averaging around $40,840, ahead of skilled nursing facilities (about $38,730) and home health care services (about $35,640). Government employers and specialty hospital units often pay above the median too.
Do CNAs get overtime pay?
Yes. Because the CNA role does not require an advanced degree, you are non-exempt under federal law, so the Department of Labor requires time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a week. Picking up extra shifts is one of the fastest ways to raise your take-home pay.
Is being a CNA a stable job?
It is steady. The BLS projects 2% growth from 2024 to 2034, slower than the all-occupation average, but roughly 211,800 openings are expected each year because so many workers move on to LPN or RN roles. That turnover keeps demand high.
How can a CNA earn more money?
Three levers: pick up overtime, add a specialty certification (Alzheimer care, hospice and palliative, wound care, medication aide), or bridge up to LPN or RN. Each credential or step up the ladder raises your earning ceiling.
Do CNAs make more in a hospital or a nursing home?
Hospitals, on average. General medical and surgical hospitals average about $40,840 versus roughly $38,730 in skilled nursing facilities. Specialty hospital units such as the ICU, surgery, and the emergency department can pay more than general floors.