OK, so you think you may have found your passion in life – becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

However, the million-dollar question is…

How much will I earn per year as a CNA?

We will share more information on CNA salaries with you, but there are some other things to consider first:

Is being a CNA a growing or a dying career?

How are the employment prospects for a CNA?

And where is the best place to live and get paid as a CNA?

Keep reading and, hopefully, we can answer some of these questions for you.

What kind of salary can I expect?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for nursing assistants was $27,520 in May 2017. By the term “median wage,” we mean that half the workers in the occupation earned more than this. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40,610.

What are the highest paying states for CNAs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 5 highest paying states/territories. Numbers are based on the mean.

  1. Alaska – $18.24 per hour / $37,950 per year
  2. New York – $16.87 per hour / $35,080 per year
  3. Nevada – $16.58 per hour / $34,480 per year
  4. District of Columbia – $16.43 per hour / $34,170 per year
  5. California – $16.13 per hour / $33,560 per year

What are the lowest paying states for CNAs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 5 lowest paying states/territories. Numbers are based on the mean.

  1. Puerto Rico – $9.91 per hour / $20,610 per year
  2. Louisiana – $10.52 per hour / $21,880 per year
  3. Mississippi – $10.96 per hour / $22,790 per year
  4. Alabama – $11.08 per hour / $23,050 per year
  5. Arkansas – $11.53 per hour / $23,970 per year

What is the growth potential as a CNA?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical job growth in a sector is 7%. Nursing assistant job growth between 2016 and 2026 is expected to be 11%, adding 177,700 new jobs. That is faster than the market average!

The bottom line: Becoming a certified nursing assistant is not just a rewarding career; it is a growing and lucrative one, too.