Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Porterville, CA: $23.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Porterville, CA runs $23.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,340 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Porterville's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,600 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Porterville, CA, the projected median hourly pay for certified nursing assistants stands at $23.72 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $21.64. This competitive rate allows part-time and per-diem CNAs working in various settings—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice care, and home health agencies—to earn a substantial income, particularly with flexibility in their schedules. With an estimated hourly range from $18.18 at the lower end to $28.29 for top earners, those entering the workforce can expect to establish a stable income while gaining valuable experience. The outlined hourly rates reflect the annual salary data, providing insight into how certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Porterville stacks up against other regions.
About the Porterville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.18 | $145.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.50 | $172.02 |
| Median (P50) | $23.72 | $189.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.08 | $208.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.29 | $226.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Porterville
Based on $23.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.72/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Porterville, CA can expect to earn approximately $49,333 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,461. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Porterville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Porterville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $948.70 | $4,111 | $49,333 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.22 | $2,467 | $29,600 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.48 | $1,644 | $19,733 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Porterville) | $23.72 |
| 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 Porterville, CA earn a median of $49,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.00% below the California state average of $49,839.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.72/hr = $29,600/year (purchasing power: $26,171).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,333/year (purchasing power: $43,618).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Porterville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Porterville grew 42.5% from $15.63/hr (2019) to $22.27/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.26/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 Porterville 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 Porterville
Analyzing the earnings potential reveals that a certified nursing assistant working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, can still bring home a significant amount annually, though not as much as full-time counterparts. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Porterville often varies widely; agency CNAs can command rates between $22 and $32 per hour, with premium weekend shifts reaching $30 to $45 in high-demand scenarios. Additionally, travel contracts also offer enticing compensation, sometimes exceeding $1,000 per week, albeit remaining less common. Different types of employers—such as hospitals and assisted living facilities—also influence expected pay rates. While higher hourly rates may be tempting, many CNAs choose positions offering benefits like health insurance, weighing their compensation against the costs of care. For CNAs looking to negotiate their pay, understanding local market trends and the nuances of demand across facilities can be invaluable.
More salary data for Porterville, 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 Porterville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Porterville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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