Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $24.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Los Angeles, CA runs $24.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,460 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,277 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Los Angeles earn a competitive median hourly rate of $24.26, significantly higher than the national median of $21.64. This hourly compensation reflects the demand for skilled professionals amidst a burgeoning market and may greatly benefit part-time workers or those preferring per diem arrangements. For example, part-time CNAs working three days per week can find themselves earning substantial weekly incomes while gaining experience in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health visits. The hourly pay ranges from approximately $20.50 for entry-level positions to around $31.29 for top earners in the field, showcasing a healthy wage structure even in the entry stages of a CNA career. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.50 | $164.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.57 | $188.55 |
| Median (P50) | $24.26 | $194.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.78 | $206.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.29 | $250.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $24.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.26/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $50,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,113. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.43 | $4,205 | $50,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.26 | $2,523 | $30,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.17 | $1,682 | $20,185 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Los Angeles) | $24.26 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $50,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.20% above the California state average of $49,861.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.26/hr = $30,277/year (purchasing power: $26,661).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,462/year (purchasing power: $44,434).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Los Angeles grew 41.0% from $16.16/hr (2019) to $22.78/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.84/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
For those opting for part-time arrangements in LA, a certified nursing assistant typically takes home a substantial income. Working three 8-hour shifts weekly translates to about $37,800 annually, providing a livable income while allowing flexibility. Per diem roles cater to various needs, with agency CNAs billing between $22 and $32 per hour on average. In highly sought-after weekend contracts, pay can rise to $30-$45 per hour, particularly in shortage areas. Additionally, while travel contracts akin to nursing positions may yield $1,000-$1,800 weekly, they remain relatively rare for CNAs. Hourly rates across different employers, including hospitals, home health organizations, and assisted living facilities, reflect variances in budgetary constraints and labor demands. Some CNAs may choose lower hourly wages if they include benefits such as health insurance, which can be a valuable trade-off. This flexibility can offer a competitive edge when negotiating terms, particularly in Los Angeles’ dynamic job market, where understanding local pay scales and potential bonuses is crucial.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Los Angeles in 2026?
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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 Los Angeles. 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