Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Arizona: $47,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $47,342/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,063 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chandler ($45,607), Scottsdale ($45,463), Glendale ($45,303).
In Arizona, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $47,341, which is about 5.2% above the national median of $45,007. This reflects a solid job market for CNAs within the state. The highest paying city for CNAs is Chandler, where salaries are projected at $48,571, while Yuma ranks as the lowest paying city at $40,321. The salary gap of $8,250 is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of jobs in different regions. Arizona has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect pay rates. The state's aging population is a key driver of demand for healthcare services, contributing to an expected employment growth rate for CNAs of 6.50% annually from 2025 according to BLS data. Other cities projected to have competitive salaries include Scottsdale at $48,418, Glendale at $48,248, Phoenix at $48,234, and Prescott Valley at $48,117. Overall, the outlook for CNAs in Arizona indicates a stable and growing job market, making it a valuable occupation in the healthcare sector.
Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $35,058 (lowest entry-level) to $62,878 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona certified nursing assistants earn 5.19% more than the national median (+$2,335/year difference).
Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Arizona range from $39,250 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,674 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,342. The Arizona median is $2,335 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $22.76/hr. Approximately 20,014 certified nursing assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,250
2025 BLS Actual
$44,452
2026 Current Est.
$47,342
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,738 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.8% from $32,250 (2019) to $44,452 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,169 (56.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Yuma | $40,321 |
| Sierra Vista | $41,812 |
| Sedona | $43,130 |
| Nogales | $43,279 |
| Oro Valley | $43,551 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | $48,571 | 98.5 | $49,311 |
| Scottsdale | $48,418 | 98.5 | $49,155 |
| Glendale | $48,248 | 98.5 | $48,983 |
| Prescott Valley | $48,117 | 98.255 | $48,972 |
| Lake Havasu City | $45,944 | 94.098 | $48,826 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,250 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,342 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,674 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler | $48,571 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $48,418 |
| 3 | Glendale | $48,248 |
| 4 | Phoenix | $48,234 |
| 5 | Prescott Valley | $48,117 |
| 6 | Mesa | $48,001 |
| 7 | Prescott | $47,861 |
| 8 | Flagstaff | $47,478 |
| 9 | Gilbert | $47,108 |
| 10 | Peoria | $46,955 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $46,570 |
| 12 | Avondale | $46,502 |
| 13 | Marana | $46,328 |
| 14 | San Tan Valley | $46,192 |
| 15 | Tempe | $46,138 |
| 16 | Lake Havasu City | $45,944 |
| 17 | Surprise | $45,845 |
| 18 | Kingman | $45,810 |
| 19 | Goodyear | $45,774 |
| 20 | Queen Creek | $45,581 |
| 21 | Tucson | $45,326 |
| 22 | Buckeye | $45,155 |
| 23 | Florence | $44,849 |
| 24 | Casa Grande | $44,751 |
| 25 | Bullhead City | $44,746 |
| 26 | El Mirage | $44,546 |
| 27 | Sahuarita | $44,354 |
| 28 | Apache Junction | $44,297 |
| 29 | Oro Valley | $43,551 |
| 30 | Nogales | $43,279 |
| 31 | Sedona | $43,130 |
| 32 | Sierra Vista | $41,812 |
| 33 | Yuma | $40,321 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Arizona?
How does Arizona certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Arizona?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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