Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $23.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Phoenix, AZ runs $23.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,234 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,935 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, Arizona, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $23.19, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $21.64. This robust hourly rate offers significant opportunities for those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, or engaging in per diem assignments across various care settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice care, and assisted living apartments. For entry-level CNAs, earnings typically start around $19.08, while experienced professionals can command up to $30.24 per hour. Such figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reveal a strong demand for certified nursing assistants in the Phoenix area.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.08 | $152.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.00 | $160.01 |
| Median (P50) | $23.19 | $185.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.89 | $191.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.24 | $241.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $23.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.19/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $48,225 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,822. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.40 | $4,019 | $48,225 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.44 | $2,411 | $28,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.96 | $1,607 | $19,290 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Phoenix) | $23.19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $48,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $45,937.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.19/hr = $28,935/year (purchasing power: $28,006).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,225/year (purchasing power: $46,677).
CoL index: 103.316 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Phoenix grew 36.2% from $15.98/hr (2019) to $21.77/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Phoenix
Earning potential for CNAs varies significantly based on employment type and schedule. A three-day working week, totaling 24 hours, would yield an annual income of around $28,795 for a certified nursing assistant compared to a full-time worker's full potential. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Phoenix can be lucrative, with agency CNAs typically billing between $22 and $32 per hour, while weekend-only assignments may offer rates as high as $30-$45 in shortage markets. Additionally, certain travel CNA contracts can range from $1,000 to $1,800 per week, although these opportunities remain less common than those in nursing travel. Employers across Phoenix, including hospitals and home health agencies, also present varying pay scales, often influenced by the benefits package on offer. While some CNAs may choose lower hourly rates for positions with health insurance, others may prefer higher rates without benefits. When negotiating, it’s crucial for hourly workers to be aware of the market trends and to assess the total compensation package that includes health benefits, shift differentials, and potential weekend premiums.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Phoenix in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Phoenix?
Are certified nursing assistants in Phoenix paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Phoenix?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Phoenix?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Phoenix. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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