Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $11.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in San Juan, PR runs $11.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $24,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,607 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Juan, Puerto Rico earn a median hourly rate of $11.70, significantly below the national median of $21.64. This rate reflects the challenges faced by part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate in diverse environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health settings, and hospice care. At this hourly wage, a CNA working three days a week on average would see a basic income that aligns with local living expenses, although lower than what is found nationally. Entry-level positions start at around $11.18 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn as much as $23.98 hourly, emphasizing a substantial disparity between early-career and top-earning CNAs in the region. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a glimpse into the expected compensation landscape for certified nursing assistant hourly pay in San Juan.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.18 | $89.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.18 | $89.46 |
| Median (P50) | $11.70 | $93.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.16 | $169.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.98 | $191.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $11.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.70/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $24,345 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,045.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $468.17 | $2,029 | $24,345 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $280.90 | $1,217 | $14,607 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $187.27 | $812 | $9,738 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (San Juan) | $11.70 |
| 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 San Juan, PR earn a median of $24,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.93% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 27.90% below the Puerto Rico state average of $33,752.
2019 BLS Actual
$9.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$10.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $9.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $8.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $9.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $10.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $10.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $10.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in San Juan grew 12.9% from $9.73/hr (2019) to $10.99/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.47/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
In analyzing the financial prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, part-time workers can expect to take home less than full-time colleagues due to their reduced work hours. For instance, a typical 24-hour workweek could yield an annual income significantly lower than what a fully employed CNA might earn. Meanwhile, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in San Juan can fluctuate widely, with agency rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, highlighting the potential for increased earnings on weekends or through premium contracts that can reach $30 to $45. This variability speaks to the diverse settings in which CNAs operate, such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and home health agencies, each with their distinct compensation practices. Additionally, many CNAs must weigh the benefits of steady employment, which may include health insurance, against higher pay without benefits in per diem roles. For those in San Juan negotiating their hourly pay, showcasing experience and the ability to meet shifting staffing needs can provide leverage, especially in a market that has seen dramatic wage increases in response to workforce shortages since the pandemic.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in San Juan in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 San Juan. 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