Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) nursing assistant in the US earns $20.32 an hour, or $42,260 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 1,448,910 jobs (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,260 and $47,220 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $51,980.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $36,136 a year ($3,011 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Washington ($41,022 a year) and lowest in Louisiana ($26,150).
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $16.32 | $33,940 | $29,451 |
| 25th percentile | $17.91 | $37,260 | $32,119 |
| Median (half earn more) | $20.32 | $42,260 | $36,136 |
| 75th percentile | $22.70 | $47,220 | $40,121 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $24.99 | $51,980 | $43,946 |
The average (mean) is $42,700 a year ($20.53 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 31-1131. Source
Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary by state
The highest median pay for nursing assistants is in Oregon ($49,840), Washington ($49,190), New York ($48,590), New Hampshire ($47,880), District of Columbia ($47,690). The lowest is in Louisiana ($30,510), Mississippi ($31,510), Alabama ($34,130).
The most nursing assistants work in California (110,060), Florida (96,960), Texas (88,680).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Washington ($41,022), New Hampshire ($40,652), Alaska ($39,199), North Dakota ($38,997), New York ($38,922). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $16.41 | $34,130 | $28,236 | 25,250 |
| Alaska | $22.29 | $46,360 | $39,199 | 2,060 |
| Arizona | $21.53 | $44,780 | $37,265 | 20,320 |
| Arkansas | $16.55 | $34,420 | $29,050 | 17,260 |
| California | $22.90 | $47,630 | $38,845 | 110,060 |
| Colorado | $22.78 | $47,380 | $38,199 | 22,240 |
| Connecticut | $21.53 | $44,780 | $36,349 | 21,380 |
| Delaware | $20.21 | $42,040 | $34,134 | 5,530 |
| District of Columbia | $22.93 | $47,690 | $40,499* | 3,490 |
| Florida | $18.03 | $37,500 | $32,312 | 96,960 |
| Georgia | $18.12 | $37,690 | $31,332 | 43,440 |
| Hawaii | $21.80 | $45,340 | $36,432 | 5,050 |
| Idaho | $18.58 | $38,650 | $32,039 | 7,910 |
| Illinois | $22.10 | $45,970 | $36,986 | 68,640 |
| Indiana | $18.43 | $38,330 | $31,123 | 33,640 |
| Iowa | $18.92 | $39,350 | $32,836 | 22,670 |
| Kansas | $18.27 | $38,000 | $31,392 | 24,610 |
| Kentucky | $18.45 | $38,380 | $31,793 | 23,410 |
| Louisiana | $14.67 | $30,510 | $26,150 | 20,690 |
| Maine | $22.63 | $47,070 | $38,075 | 8,540 |
| Maryland | $20.79 | $43,240 | $34,011 | 27,720 |
| Massachusetts | $22.44 | $46,680 | $37,537 | 38,130 |
| Michigan | $19.03 | $39,580 | $32,551 | 43,290 |
| Minnesota | $22.44 | $46,680 | $37,110 | 29,120 |
| Mississippi | $15.15 | $31,510 | $26,978 | 14,200 |
| Missouri | $18.11 | $37,670 | $31,616 | 34,050 |
| Montana | $19.67 | $40,910 | $33,881 | 4,390 |
| Nebraska | $19.23 | $40,000 | $33,088 | 16,450 |
| Nevada | $21.87 | $45,490 | $38,731 | 8,100 |
| New Hampshire | $23.02 | $47,880 | $40,652 | 7,810 |
| New Jersey | $22.52 | $46,840 | $38,196 | 32,400 |
| New Mexico | $18.94 | $39,400 | $32,764 | 4,750 |
| New York | $23.36 | $48,590 | $38,922 | 87,990 |
| North Carolina | $18.49 | $38,460 | $32,043 | 64,010 |
| North Dakota | $22.03 | $45,820 | $38,997 | 6,840 |
| Ohio | $18.76 | $39,020 | $32,747 | 63,280 |
| Oklahoma | $17.27 | $35,920 | $29,976 | 19,410 |
| Oregon | $23.96 | $49,840 | $38,423 | 14,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $21.44 | $44,600 | $36,616 | 67,740 |
| Rhode Island | $22.33 | $46,450 | $37,287 | 10,220 |
| South Carolina | $17.90 | $37,230 | $31,040 | 21,760 |
| South Dakota | $18.65 | $38,790 | $33,348 | 6,860 |
| Tennessee | $18.27 | $38,000 | $32,713 | 27,040 |
| Texas | $18.03 | $37,500 | $32,312 | 88,680 |
| Utah | $19.15 | $39,830 | $32,520 | 12,260 |
| Vermont | $22.66 | $47,130 | $38,731 | 3,030 |
| Virginia | $20.77 | $43,200 | $35,221 | 40,580 |
| Washington | $23.65 | $49,190 | $41,022 | 30,270 |
| West Virginia | $17.66 | $36,730 | $30,753 | 9,390 |
| Wisconsin | $21.70 | $45,140 | $36,568 | 28,370 |
| Wyoming | $18.83 | $39,170 | $33,653 | 2,830 |
Overtime and pay rules for nursing assistants
Nursing assistants who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. Source The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on a nursing assistant's pay
On the median $42,260, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 14.5% of pay for a single filer: $2,891 of income tax and $3,233 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $26,160, so the top federal rate is 12%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 19.65% before state tax: 12% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($2,113 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $254, so it costs about $1,860 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed nursing assistants are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Tech | $45,750 | $22 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,770 | $21.53 |
| EMT | $44,470 | $21.38 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $20 an hour is how much a year.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary questions
How much does a nursing assistant make?
The median pay is $20.32 an hour, or $42,260 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $33,940 and the top 10% more than $51,980.
How much does a nursing assistant make after taxes?
About $36,136 a year, or $1,390 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Louisiana, at that state's own median pay, it is about $26,150.
How much does a nursing assistant make a month?
About $3,522 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $3,011 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays nursing assistants the most?
Oregon, with a median of $49,840 a year ($23.96 an hour). Next are Washington ($49,190) and New York ($48,590). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Washington.
How much does a nursing assistant make an hour?
The median is $20.32 an hour. The middle half earn $17.91 to $22.70, and the top 10% more than $24.99.
Do nursing assistants get paid overtime?
Nursing assistants who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
More healthcare salaries
Registered Nurse · Nurse Practitioner · Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) · Physician Assistant · Pharmacist · Physical Therapist · Occupational Therapist · Dental Hygienist · Ultrasound Tech (Sonographer) · Respiratory Therapist · Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) · Surgical Tech · Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Paramedic · Dental Assistant · Pharmacy Tech · Medical Assistant · Phlebotomist · EMT · Home Health Aide · Anesthesiologist · Psychiatrist · Family Doctor · Dentist · Veterinarian · Optometrist · Nurse Midwife · Healthcare Administrator · Clinical Psychologist · MRI Tech · Physical Therapist Assistant · Social Worker (Healthcare) · Medical Lab Technologist · Medical Billing and Coding Specialist · Sterile Processing Tech · Vet Tech
All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.