Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $25.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $25.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,441 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,460 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $25.21 in 2026, a figure that surpasses the national median of $21.64. This strong hourly rate not only provides a solid income for full-time CNAs but also creates favorable earnings potential for part-time workers who might typically work three days a week in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living homes. Per-diem roles are particularly appealing, allowing flexibility while capitalizing on competitive hourly wages that can range from $21.82 to $29.98 depending on experience. Santa Rosa’s certified nursing assistants can expect to earn significantly more than the national average, particularly benefiting those at the higher end of the pay scale, which can be around $62,356 for experienced professionals.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.82 | $174.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.14 | $193.15 |
| Median (P50) | $25.21 | $201.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.08 | $216.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.98 | $239.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $25.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.21/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $52,434 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,250. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,008.34 | $4,369 | $52,434 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.01 | $2,622 | $31,460 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.34 | $1,748 | $20,974 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Santa Rosa) | $25.21 |
| 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 Rosa, CA earn a median of $52,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.52% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% above the California state average of $49,848.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.21/hr = $31,460/year (purchasing power: $29,188).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,434/year (purchasing power: $48,647).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Santa Rosa grew 31.9% from $17.94/hr (2019) to $23.67/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.85/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 Rosa 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 Rosa
The earning potential for a part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week can yield an annual take-home that reflects a commitment suited to their personal circumstances, albeit less than a full-time position provides. For per diem certified nursing assistants, the financial landscape can vary widely; agency CNAs often receive pay between $22 and $32 per hour, with weekend-only contracts attracting premiums upwards of $30-$45 in high-demand periods. While travel assignments for CNAs have appeared since the post-COVID era—often commanding weekly pay between $1,000 to $1,800—they remain less commonplace compared to nursing positions. Work environments impact pay rates as well, with hospitals and rehabilitation centers generally offering more competitive pay compared to home health agencies or assisted living communities. The reality of hourly work often involves trade-offs, particularly when considering health benefits; some CNAs may opt for slightly lower wages in exchange for comprehensive health insurance. To negotiate effectively in Santa Rosa's active job market, it's beneficial for CNAs to highlight relevant experience and be prepared to discuss the value they bring to the team, especially in the face of ongoing staffing shortages.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Santa Rosa in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Santa Rosa?
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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 Rosa. 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