CNA Salary

Los Angeles vs Rancho Cordova: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$50,460
$24.26/hr
Rancho Cordova, CA
$49,443
$23.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARancho Cordova, CA
Median Salary$50,460$49,443
Hourly Rate$24.26$23.77
Entry Level (P10)$42,653$38,054
25th Percentile$49,022$44,948
75th Percentile$53,633$54,555
Top Earner (P90)$65,072$62,187
Total Employed43,09020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($50,460) and Rancho Cordova ($49,443) certified nursing assistant salaries.Los AngelesRancho CordovaMedian Salary$50,460$49,443Entry Level (P10)$42,653$38,054Top Earner (P90)$65,072$62,187US Median $45,007

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rancho Cordova.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova is $1,017 (2.06%). Los Angeles's median is +12.12% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $22,419,Rancho Cordova spans $24,133. Rancho Cordova has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$42,653
P25$49,022
Median$50,460
P75$53,633
P90 (Top)$65,072
Rancho Cordova
P10 (Entry)$38,054
P25$44,948
Median$49,443
P75$54,555
P90 (Top)$62,187

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($44,432 effective) pays 1.64% more than Rancho Cordova ($43,716 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $50,460
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $44,432
Rancho Cordova
Nominal: $49,443
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $43,716

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,072)
  • Larger job market (43,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,432)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Rancho Cordova if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Los Angeles grew 41.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.9% growth in Rancho Cordova over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+41.0%

$33,610 (2019) → $47,380 (2025)

Rancho Cordova, CA

+-5.9%

$49,355 (2024) → $46,425 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Los Angeles or Rancho Cordova?

Los Angeles has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,460/year, compared to Rancho Cordova at $49,443/year — a difference of $1,017 (2.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova?

Los Angeles certified nursing assistants earn $24.26/hr while Rancho Cordova hygienists earn $23.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Rancho Cordova as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $44,432, Rancho Cordova = $43,716), job availability (43,090 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Los Angeles vs Rancho Cordova?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,653 in Los Angeles and $38,054 in Rancho Cordova. 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