Nursing Assistant Salary
The average nursing assistant salary is $25,620 per annum, or $12.32 per hour. Nursing assistant salaries range from $18,300, for the bottom 10 percent of earners, to $35,330 for the top 10 percent of earners. Nurse assistants employed by the federal and state governments, colleges, and universities are paid the highest salaries.
2026 Salary Overview
City regions found with top paying nursing assistant jobs include San Francisco, CA ($39,240), Fairbanks, AK ($35,860), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($35,210) and Nassau-Suffolk, NY ($35,000). Depending on the employer, nursing assistants may be paid bonuses which can amount to up to $200 a year.
Education and Training Requirements
Typical Entry-Level Education: Some college courses or postsecondary training
Work Experience: None required
On-the-job Training: Short-term on-the-job training
Nursing assistants must complete a state-approved education program and pass a competency evaluation to become certified. These programs are available at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Employment Rate
As of 2012, 1,420,020 nursing assistants were employed in the country. Many serve in nursing care facilities, hospitals, retirement communities as well as home health care facilities. The majority work in nursing and residential care facilities, followed by hospitals and home healthcare services.
Job Outlook (2026-2036)
Employment of nursing assistants is predicted to grow by 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Nursing assistants will continue to be high in demand as the aging population of the nation increases and there is a growing need for long-term care services for the elderly.
The aging baby-boom population will drive demand for nursing assistants in long-term care facilities and in-home care services. Additionally, chronic conditions that are more common among older adults will increase demand for nursing assistant services.
Work Environment
Nursing assistants work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and patients' homes. The work can be physically demanding, as nursing assistants spend much of their time on their feet and may need to lift or move patients. Most work full time, and many work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Salary Trends Over Time
The chart below shows how nursing assistant salaries have changed over the years, from 2015 to 2026. You can select a specific state to see localized trends or view the national average.
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Salary by State
The following table shows nursing assistant salary data by state, including the lowest 10%, median, highest 10%, and average salaries.
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