CNA Salary

Newport Beach vs Sacramento: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Newport Beach, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newport Beach, CA
$48,767
$23.44/hr
Sacramento, CA
$50,598
$24.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport Beach, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$48,767$50,598
Hourly Rate$23.44$24.32
Entry Level (P10)$40,368$42,036
25th Percentile$43,534$49,278
75th Percentile$54,793$53,293
Top Earner (P90)$60,129$65,221
Total Employed125,650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport Beach ($48,767) and Sacramento ($50,598) certified nursing assistant salaries.Newport BeachSacramentoMedian Salary$48,767$50,598Entry Level (P10)$40,368$42,036Top Earner (P90)$60,129$65,221US Median $45,007

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Newport Beach.

The salary gap between Newport Beach and Sacramento is $1,831 (3.75%). Sacramento's median is +12.42% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newport Beach spans $19,761,Sacramento spans $23,185. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Newport Beach
P10 (Entry)$40,368
P25$43,534
Median$48,767
P75$54,793
P90 (Top)$60,129
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$42,036
P25$49,278
Median$50,598
P75$53,293
P90 (Top)$65,221

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($47,434 effective) pays 10.01% more than Newport Beach ($43,118 effective).

Newport Beach
Nominal: $48,767
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $43,118
Sacramento
Nominal: $50,598
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $47,434

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newport Beach if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,598/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,221)
  • Larger job market (5,650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,434)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Newport Beach grew -5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Newport Beach, CA

+-5.9%

$48,681 (2024) → $45,791 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+31.8%

$36,060 (2019) → $47,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Newport Beach or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,598/year, compared to Newport Beach at $48,767/year — a difference of $1,831 (3.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport Beach and Sacramento?

Newport Beach certified nursing assistants earn $23.44/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $24.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newport Beach to Sacramento as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport Beach and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport Beach = $43,118, Sacramento = $47,434), job availability (12 vs 5,650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Newport Beach vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,368 in Newport Beach and $42,036 in Sacramento. The Sacramento 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