Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Davis, CA: $39,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Davis, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,073 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davis's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,547 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($48,247) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective certified nursing assistants in Davis can expect a starting salary around $39,073 in 2026, a figure that may initially seem modest compared to the median annual wage of $48,247 for the region. This starting pay reflects the typical earnings of new grads as they begin their careers in a market that is gradually recovering from significant turnover in the healthcare workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite entering at a lower salary level, there is a solid growth trajectory for CNAs in Davis, allowing new professionals to potentially transition to $42,457 within a few years as they gain experience and possibly additional certifications. This upward trend, coupled with the city's demand for healthcare services, positions Davis as a favorable market for recent graduates looking for meaningful opportunities in patient care.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davis
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Davis, CA typically start between $39,073 and $42,457 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $19,240 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $48,247 — 7.2% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in California of $2,500 represents just 6.40% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($39,073/year) in Davis. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Davis
- 1Research the Davis market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $39,073 to $42,457, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davis, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Davis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Davis's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Davis is $19,240 ( 49.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,073, experienced hygienists can earn up to $58,313.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,738
2025 BLS Actual
$36,688
2026 Current Est.
$39,073
2019–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,813 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,612 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Davis, CA grew 54.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,738 in 2019 to $36,688 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,612. New graduates entering the Davis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Davis
For those starting their careers, numerous employers in Davis actively seek to hire new graduates. Skilled nursing facilities are among the biggest employers, often providing paid training programs that can smooth the transition into the job. Hospital systems may prefer experienced hires but also have apprenticeship pathways for motivated new CNAs. Home health agencies frequently need candidates to work flexible hours, enhancing job availability. To boost starting pay in this competitive field, obtaining state CNA certification is crucial, along with being CPR/BLS certified and considering other valuable credentials like medication aide or specialized training in hospice care. Career strategy for the first few years should focus on building experience that could lead to promising roles such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), especially given the recent increase in wages driven by the staffing crisis. Early career CNAs can realistically expect salary increments as they refine their skills and adapt to the demands of the healthcare environment.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Davis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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