CNA Salary

Chula Vista vs Los Angeles: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Chula Vista, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chula Vista, CA
$51,254
$24.64/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$50,460
$24.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChula Vista, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$51,254$50,460
Hourly Rate$24.64$24.26
Entry Level (P10)$37,320$42,653
25th Percentile$45,434$49,022
75th Percentile$57,830$53,633
Top Earner (P90)$64,340$65,072
Total Employed5143,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chula Vista ($51,254) and Los Angeles ($50,460) certified nursing assistant salaries.Chula VistaLos AngelesMedian Salary$51,254$50,460Entry Level (P10)$37,320$42,653Top Earner (P90)$64,340$65,072US Median $45,007

Verdict

Chula Vista and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall certified nursing assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chula Vista and Los Angeles is $794 (1.57%). Chula Vista's median is +13.88% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chula Vista spans $27,020,Los Angeles spans $22,419. Chula Vista has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chula Vista
P10 (Entry)$37,320
P25$45,434
Median$51,254
P75$57,830
P90 (Top)$64,340
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$42,653
P25$49,022
Median$50,460
P75$53,633
P90 (Top)$65,072

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chula Vista ($45,317 effective) pays 1.99% more than Los Angeles ($44,432 effective).

Chula Vista
Nominal: $51,254
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,317
Los Angeles
Nominal: $50,460
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $44,432

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chula Vista if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,254/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,317)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,072)
  • Larger job market (43,090 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Chula Vista grew -6.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.0% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chula Vista, CA

+-6.2%

$51,316 (2024) → $48,126 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+41.0%

$33,610 (2019) → $47,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Chula Vista or Los Angeles?

Chula Vista has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $51,254/year, compared to Los Angeles at $50,460/year — a difference of $794 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chula Vista and Los Angeles?

Chula Vista certified nursing assistants earn $24.64/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $24.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chula Vista to Los Angeles as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chula Vista and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chula Vista = $45,317, Los Angeles = $44,432), job availability (51 vs 43,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Chula Vista vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,320 in Chula Vista and $42,653 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov