Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $24.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Sacramento, CA runs $24.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,598 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,357 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $24.32 in 2026, considerably higher than the national median of $21.64. This rate offers a robust earning potential for part-time workers, who can earn a significant income while working just three days a week in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. For per-diem certified nursing assistants, the versatility of work locations from patient rooms to hospice homes can be appealing, with hourly pay ranging from $20.21 for entry-level positions to about $31.35 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, indicating a strong compensation trend for CNAs in California’s capital.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.21 | $161.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.70 | $189.57 |
| Median (P50) | $24.32 | $194.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.62 | $204.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.35 | $250.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $24.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.32/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $50,595 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,190. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $972.98 | $4,216 | $50,595 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.79 | $2,530 | $30,357 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $389.19 | $1,687 | $20,238 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Sacramento) | $24.32 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $50,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% above the California state average of $49,850.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.32/hr = $30,357/year (purchasing power: $28,459).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,595/year (purchasing power: $47,431).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Sacramento grew 31.7% from $17.34/hr (2019) to $22.84/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.91/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
When considering the part-time earning potential of a certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week, one might take home approximately $30,393 annually, which is significantly lower than the full-time figure but still viable for those balancing other commitments. Additionally, the dynamics of the per-diem market in Sacramento reveal that agency CNAs typically command rates between $22 and $32 per hour, with weekend shifts often yielding premiums of up to $45 in high-demand situations. The type of employer plays a crucial role in determining pay; for instance, facilities like rehabilitation hospitals might offer different rates compared to home health agencies. While some CNAs opt for lower hourly pays to secure health benefits, others might prefer the flexibility of higher hourly wages without benefits. Consequently, savvy negotiation around rates can make a notable difference in overall income and job satisfaction for Sacramento's nursing assistants.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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