CNA Salary

Pittsburg vs San Francisco: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Pittsburg, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pittsburg, CA
$50,126
$24.10/hr
San Francisco, CA
$59,725
$28.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburg, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$50,126$59,725
Hourly Rate$24.10$28.71
Entry Level (P10)$39,485$49,736
25th Percentile$43,394$53,261
75th Percentile$56,065$62,760
Top Earner (P90)$61,379$75,125
Total Employed1911,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburg ($50,126) and San Francisco ($59,725) certified nursing assistant salaries.PittsburgSan FranciscoMedian Salary$50,126$59,725Entry Level (P10)$39,485$49,736Top Earner (P90)$61,379$75,125US Median $45,007

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pittsburg.

The salary gap between Pittsburg and San Francisco is $9,599 (19.15%). San Francisco's median is +32.70% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pittsburg spans $21,894,San Francisco spans $25,389. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Pittsburg
P10 (Entry)$39,485
P25$43,394
Median$50,126
P75$56,065
P90 (Top)$61,379
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$49,736
P25$53,261
Median$59,725
P75$62,760
P90 (Top)$75,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($51,659 effective) pays 16.56% more than Pittsburg ($44,320 effective).

Pittsburg
Nominal: $50,126
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $44,320
San Francisco
Nominal: $59,725
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $51,659

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburg if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,725/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,125)
  • Larger job market (11,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,659)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Pittsburg grew -5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.4% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Pittsburg, CA

+-5.9%

$50,037 (2024) → $47,067 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+35.4%

$41,410 (2019) → $56,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Pittsburg or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $59,725/year, compared to Pittsburg at $50,126/year — a difference of $9,599 (19.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburg and San Francisco?

Pittsburg certified nursing assistants earn $24.10/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $28.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburg to San Francisco as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburg and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburg = $44,320, San Francisco = $51,659), job availability (19 vs 11,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Pittsburg vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,485 in Pittsburg and $49,736 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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