Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Provo, UT: $37,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Provo, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,126 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Provo's local price level (BEA RPP 98.2 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,794 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($41,780) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Provo, Utah, those embarking on a career as certified nursing assistants can anticipate starting salaries around $37,126. While this figure sits lower than the overall median annual salary of $41,780 for the area, it offers a clear pathway for growth within the profession. New graduates can expect to gradually increase their earnings as they gain experience, moving from entry-level pay toward the P25 figure of $38,841 within a couple of years, and potentially reaching the median salary as they progress in their roles. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, the job market remains favorable for new CNAs, making Provo a viable city for recent graduates looking to enter the healthcare field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Provo
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 Provo
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Provo, UT typically start between $37,126 and $38,841 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,108 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $41,780 — 7.17% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Utah of $1,800 represents just 4.85% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($37,126/year) in Provo. 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 Provo
- 1Research the Provo market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $37,126 to $38,841, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Provo, 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 Provo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Provo's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Provo is $11,108 ( 29.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,126, experienced hygienists can earn up to $48,234.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,200
2025 BLS Actual
$34,860
2026 Current Est.
$37,126
2019–2027 Growth
+78.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Provo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,539 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Provo, UT grew 57.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,200 in 2019 to $34,860 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,539. New graduates entering the Provo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Provo 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 Provo
For entry-level CNAs in Provo, multiple employers offer opportunities that typically provide on-the-job training to ease newcomers into the workforce. Skilled nursing facilities often hire fresh graduates and are known for flexible scheduling. Meanwhile, hospital systems are generally more selective and prefer candidates with some experience, but they do have apprenticeship programs that develop new talent. To enhance starting pay in Utah, new CNAs should consider obtaining additional certifications, such as CPR/BLS, and even explore options like becoming a certified medication aide (CMA) or specializing in dementia care. Given the recent high turnover in the CNA workforce after COVID-19, industry wages have seen significant increases, with many facilities adapting to retain staff. Therefore, starting salaries may see incremental growth during the first few years, leading to improved pay as CNAs gain experience and transition into roles such as LPN or RN.
More salary data for Provo, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for certified nursing assistants in Provo in 2026?
How fast do certified nursing assistant salaries grow in Provo?
Is nursing school worth it in Provo?
What do new certified nursing assistants make right out of school in Provo?
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Utah?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Provo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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