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CNA Career Outlook and Salary

Here is the good news, right off the bat: The need for CNAs is exploding, with a growth rate that is higher than the average of all other jobs. One major reason for this is the aging baby boomer population, who rely on nursing assistants and healthcare professionals to care for them as they advance through the years.

Another important factor is career migration. As more CNAs decide to make the move into nursing, they will leave their positions to go back to school, causing a high turnover in the field — which translates into renewed job opportunities for new CNAs.

Keep reading to learn more about the projected job growth, salary prospects, and job responsibilities for certified nursing assistants.

CNA Job Growth and Career Outlook

The statistics below attest to the skyrocketing need for CNAs. Note that all statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Occupational Information Network, as of May 2018.

  • Job growth: The number of CNA roles is expected to jump as little as 10% or as much as 14% between 2016 and 2026.
  • Job openings: There are 195,100 new CNA job openings projected from 2016 to 2026.

Top States for CNA Jobs

Employment levels vary by state. Here is a summary of the top states for employment of CNAs:

StateCNAs Employed in 2018
California99,440
New York91,400
Florida89,860
Texas87,750
Pennsylvania76,260
Ohio65,860
North Carolina63,010
Illinois61,140
New Jersey56,500
Indiana30,220

With demand continuing to increase, CNAs can bank on high job availability over the coming years. It makes sense to keep location and industry in mind, as both where you live and where you work will have a major impact on the jobs that are available to you.

CNA Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean average annual salary for CNAs in May 2018 was $29,580. Of course, the average pay for CNAs is also dependent on a number of factors, such as location, industry, education, and experience.

CNA Average Annual Salary by State

Below is a breakdown of salary by state.

StateCNA Mean Annual Wage
Alabama$24,110
Alaska$39,830
Arizona$31,450
Arkansas$25,080
California$35,220
Colorado$32,610
Connecticut$33,390
Delaware$30,780
Florida$26,840
Georgia$25,870
Hawaii$35,770
Idaho$27,400
Illinois$28,810
Indiana$27,210
Iowa$29,120
Kansas$26,210
Kentucky$26,800
Louisiana$22,750
Maine$28,710
Maryland$31,310
Massachusetts$33,630
Michigan$30,130
Minnesota$33,710
Mississippi$23,100
Missouri$25,930
Montana$29,110
Nebraska$28,730
Nevada$35,130
New Hampshire$32,200
New Jersey$30,380
New Mexico$28,310
New York$37,010
North Carolina$25,570
North Dakota$33,990
Ohio$27,570
Oklahoma$25,690
Oregon$33,230
Pennsylvania$30,630
Rhode Island$31,340
South Carolina$25,390
South Dakota$26,820
Tennessee$26,400
Texas$27,030
Utah$27,880
Vermont$30,730
Virginia$28,770
Washington$32,130
West Virginia$26,410
Wisconsin$29,590
Wyoming$30,910

Average CNA Annual Salary by Work Setting

CNA salaries also vary by work setting, with more specialized workplaces paying higher wages.

Work SettingAnnual Mean Wage
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals$32,020
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals$31,540
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)$28,560
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly$27,780

Education level can also make a difference. According to Salary.com, CNAs with an associate degree can earn slightly more than those with a certificate.

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