Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $23.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Bakersfield, CA runs $23.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,480 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, California, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $23.62 in 2026, which is significantly above the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate not only reflects the rising demand for CNAs in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care but also offers a fair compensation for part-time and per-diem workers juggling multiple jobs. For those working three days a week, such as in nursing homes or visiting hospice patients, this hourly rate enables a reasonable take-home pay while balancing the responsibilities of patient care across different environments. The pay scale for CNAs in Bakersfield ranges from $19.31 at the entry-level (P10) up to $28.86 for top earners (P90), highlighting both the opportunities for advancement and the variety of roles available in this field.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.31 | $154.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.89 | $175.09 |
| Median (P50) | $23.62 | $188.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.84 | $198.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.86 | $230.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $23.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.62/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $49,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,346. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $944.87 | $4,094 | $49,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.92 | $2,457 | $29,480 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.95 | $1,638 | $19,653 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Bakersfield) | $23.62 |
| 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 Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $49,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.16% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% below the California state average of $49,877.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.62/hr = $29,480/year (purchasing power: $29,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,133/year (purchasing power: $48,702).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$14.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+72.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Bakersfield grew 52.2% from $14.57/hr (2019) to $22.18/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.16/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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield
An analysis of part-time earnings shows that a certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week could take home a substantial amount annually, though it may not rival the stability of full-time employment. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Bakersfield allows flexibility, with agency CNAs billing between $22 and $32 per hour, while weekend shifts may offer premiums ranging from $30 to $45 in response to local staffing shortages. Certain employers, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, often provide different pay rates, with varying levels of benefits—some CNAs may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and other perks. Certified nursing assistants must be mindful of negotiation tactics, emphasizing their experience and certifications to secure competitive rates, as the wage growth in Bakersfield reflects a broader trend across the country in response to post-COVID workforce dynamics in healthcare.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
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 Bakersfield. 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