Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in El Centro, CA: $22.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in El Centro, CA runs $22.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against El Centro's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,549 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, California, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay reaches a solid $22.88, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate is significant for part-time professionals working in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care, where they often work 24 hours per week (three days a week). For per diem certified nursing assistant pay in El Centro, the potential variations can be particularly appealing, as many CNAs have the flexibility to choose their hours. Additionally, entry-level positions start at about $19.08 per hour, while experienced CNAs can earn up to $24.16 hourly. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the evolving compensation landscape in this critical care field.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.08 | $152.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.87 | $158.98 |
| Median (P50) | $22.88 | $183.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.09 | $192.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.16 | $193.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Centro
Based on $22.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.88/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Centro, CA can expect to earn approximately $47,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,451. With a cost-of-living index of 95.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Centro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Centro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $915.05 | $3,965 | $47,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $549.03 | $2,379 | $28,549 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.02 | $1,586 | $19,033 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (El Centro) | $22.88 |
| 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 El Centro, CA earn a median of $47,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.70% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 4.60% below the California state average of $49,867.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.88/hr = $28,549/year (purchasing power: $29,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,582/year (purchasing power: $49,995).
CoL index: 95.174 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+91.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in El Centro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in El Centro grew 68.7% from $12.73/hr (2019) to $21.48/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.36/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 El Centro 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 El Centro
When examining the earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants, those working a 3-day week schedule might take home around $29,965 annually, a stark contrast to a full-time worker's average. For those considering per-diem opportunities, agency CNAs typically command charges between $22 and $32 per hour, with weekend-only contracts in high-demand markets reaching premiums of $30 to $45 per hour. Variability in hourly rates is evident across different employer types in El Centro, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies offering differing pay scales. Additionally, while some CNAs prioritize higher hourly rates, others may choose positions with lower pay that include essential benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating effectively is crucial for hourly workers in El Centro; understanding the value of shift differentials, weekend premiums, and career advancement opportunities into LPN or RN roles can play a significant role in securing better pay.
More salary data for El Centro, 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 El Centro. 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, 6-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