CNA Salary

Redlands vs Riverside: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Redlands, CA
$50,434
$24.25/hr
Riverside, CA
$49,448
$23.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRedlands, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$50,434$49,448
Hourly Rate$24.25$23.77
Entry Level (P10)$40,437$41,482
25th Percentile$44,039$47,148
75th Percentile$56,787$51,940
Top Earner (P90)$62,386$59,470
Total Employed169,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Redlands ($50,434) and Riverside ($49,448) certified nursing assistant salaries.RedlandsRiversideMedian Salary$50,434$49,448Entry Level (P10)$40,437$41,482Top Earner (P90)$62,386$59,470US Median $45,007

Verdict

Redlands, CA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Redlands and Riverside is $986 (1.99%). Redlands's median is +12.06% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Redlands spans $21,949,Riverside spans $17,988. Redlands has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Redlands
P10 (Entry)$40,437
P25$44,039
Median$50,434
P75$56,787
P90 (Top)$62,386
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$41,482
P25$47,148
Median$49,448
P75$51,940
P90 (Top)$59,470

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($46,455 effective) pays 4.18% more than Redlands ($44,592 effective).

Redlands
Nominal: $50,434
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $44,592
Riverside
Nominal: $49,448
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $46,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Redlands if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,434/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,386)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (9,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,455)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Redlands grew -5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Redlands, CA

+-5.9%

$50,344 (2024) → $47,356 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+36.8%

$33,930 (2019) → $46,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Redlands or Riverside?

Redlands has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,434/year, compared to Riverside at $49,448/year — a difference of $986 (1.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Redlands and Riverside?

Redlands certified nursing assistants earn $24.25/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $23.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Redlands to Riverside as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Redlands and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Redlands = $44,592, Riverside = $46,455), job availability (16 vs 9,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Redlands vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,437 in Redlands and $41,482 in Riverside. The Riverside 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