Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $24.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $24.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,056 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,636 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $24.55. This is significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $21.64, reflecting the unique labor market dynamics in the area. For part-time workers, such as those on a 3-day-a-week schedule, this rate translates into earnings that can sustain a reasonable living, particularly in a city where the cost of living is above the national average. Per-diem certified nursing assistants also benefit from flexible work arrangements in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or hospice care, with the hourly pay ranging from $20.02 at entry-level positions to as much as $29.55 for top earners. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, highlighting the potential for a rewarding career in patient care across various healthcare settings in Santa Cruz.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.02 | $160.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.11 | $192.89 |
| Median (P50) | $24.55 | $196.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.99 | $207.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.55 | $236.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $24.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.55/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,060 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,458. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.93 | $4,255 | $51,060 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.16 | $2,553 | $30,636 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.77 | $1,702 | $20,424 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Santa Cruz) | $24.55 |
| 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 Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $51,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.44% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% above the California state average of $49,859.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.55/hr = $30,636/year (purchasing power: $27,877).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,060/year (purchasing power: $46,462).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Santa Cruz grew 26.0% from $18.29/hr (2019) to $23.05/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.14/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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
Analyzing the earnings of certified nursing assistants in Santa Cruz reveals intriguing opportunities, especially for those working part-time in this profession. A CNA working 24 hours per week could expect to take home roughly $38,000 annually, compared to full-time employees who enjoy the benefits of consistent hours and potentially higher earnings. Per diem contracts provide additional avenues for income, with many CNAs billing $22 to $32 per hour, while premium weekend contracts can reach between $30 and $45 in areas facing staffing shortages. The hourly rates can vary substantially by employer type, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offering different compensation packages compared to home health agencies or rehabilitation centers. Some certified nursing assistants may opt for lower pay in exchange for health benefits, while others prefer roles with higher hourly rates but no insurance. Negotiating effectively in this context, particularly in a tight labor market, can lead to better salaries and conditions, making it essential for CNAs in Santa Cruz to communicate their worth and leverage any competition among employers.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz. 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