Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in California: $51,757 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across California's 158 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $51,757/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because California sits at BEA RPP 113.1 (13% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,762 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sunnyvale ($58,175), Santa Clara ($57,793), Oakland ($57,356).

Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in California - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — California certified nursing assistant salary overview (2026)

$51,757

Avg Median Salary

$24.88

Avg Hourly Rate

110,719

Metro Employed

158

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in California is projected to be $51,757, which is 15.0% higher than the national median of $45,007. The salary variation across the state is significant, with Sunnyvale offering the highest average at $61,956, while Brea has the lowest at $47,299, highlighting a $14,657 gap. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and varying employer funding in metropolitan areas. California has specific licensing requirements and laws regulating the CNA scope of practice, which can affect salaries and job availability. The state's robust healthcare sector fuels demand for CNAs, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, according to recent BLS data. Cities like Santa Clara, Oakland, San Jose, and Fremont also feature competitive salaries, ranging from $59,737 to $61,550. With 110,719 CNAs employed statewide, the job market remains strong, reflecting a consistent need for healthcare support as the population ages and healthcare services expand. Overall, pursuing a CNA career in California offers potential for above-average earnings, especially in metropolitan areas where demand and compensation are highest.

California Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$43,400

avg across 158 cities

Median

$51,757

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$65,235

avg across 158 cities

Overall salary range in California: $36,248 (lowest entry-level) to $82,048 (highest top earner)

California vs National Average

California

$51,757

National Median

$45,007

California certified nursing assistants earn 15.00% more than the national median (+$6,750/year difference).

California Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in California range from $43,400 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $65,235 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,757. The California median is $6,750 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.88/hr. Approximately 110,719 certified nursing assistants are employed across 158 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$35,013

2025 BLS Actual

$48,598

2026 Current Est.

$51,757

2019–2027 Growth

+57.4%

Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in California (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$35,013	Actual
2020	$37,892	Actual
2021	$38,310	Actual
2022	$40,183	Actual
2023	$45,305	Actual
2024	$47,276	Actual
2025	$48,598	Actual
2026(current)	$51,757	Estimated
2027	$55,121	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the California metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.8% from $35,013 (2019) to $48,598 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,121 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,108 (57.43%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the California 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 California

Sunnyvale

26 employed · $29.79/hr

$61,956

+19.71% vs avg

Santa Clara

32 employed · $29.60/hr

$61,550

+18.92% vs avg

Oakland

78 employed · $29.37/hr

$61,084

+18.02% vs avg

San Jose

5,350 employed · $29.11/hr

$60,535

+16.96% vs avg

Fremont

43 employed · $28.72/hr

$59,737

+15.42% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in California

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Brea	$47,299	-8.61%	$22.74
El Centro	$47,574	-8.08%	$22.88
Fresno	$47,616	-8.00%	$22.90
Merced	$47,637	-7.96%	$22.91
Redding	$47,797	-7.65%	$22.98

Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in California

When adjusted for local cost of living, these California cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
San Jose	$60,535	110.423	$54,821
Sunnyvale	$61,956	113.1	$54,780
Santa Clara	$61,550	113.1	$54,421
Oakland	$61,084	113.1	$54,009
Fremont	$59,737	113.1	$52,818

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in California

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$43,400	$20.87	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$51,757	$24.88	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$65,235	$31.36	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across California metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 158 Cities in California

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Sunnyvale	$61,956	$29.79	$48,857	$78,373	26
2	Santa Clara	$61,550	$29.60	$47,888	$74,725	32
3	Oakland	$61,084	$29.37	$46,726	$79,450	78
4	San Jose	$60,535	$29.11	$50,417	$82,048	5,350
5	Fremont	$59,737	$28.72	$43,642	$78,852	43
6	San Francisco	$59,725	$28.71	$49,736	$75,125	11,790
7	Napa	$53,644	$25.78	$44,751	$67,180	460
8	Santa Ana	$52,821	$25.39	$39,253	$67,043	69
9	Santa Rosa	$52,441	$25.21	$45,380	$62,356	1,250
10	Vallejo	$52,079	$25.04	$42,941	$66,616	940
11	Salinas	$52,047	$25.03	$42,494	$60,748	1,070
12	Petaluma	$51,939	$24.97	$43,186	$64,280	12
13	Fontana	$51,843	$24.92	$38,570	$65,828	32
14	Irvine	$51,787	$24.90	$40,718	$67,174	72
15	Pomona	$51,533	$24.77	$40,431	$63,271	36
16	Simi Valley	$51,506	$24.76	$40,519	$64,960	23
17	Escondido	$51,493	$24.76	$40,541	$63,002	31
18	Fairfield	$51,400	$24.71	$40,268	$62,695	25
19	Anaheim	$51,357	$24.69	$38,847	$66,091	51
20	Chula Vista	$51,254	$24.64	$37,320	$64,340	51
21	Fullerton	$51,212	$24.62	$39,664	$64,112	25
22	San Diego	$51,195	$24.61	$43,047	$64,443	9,670
23	Daly City	$51,167	$24.60	$39,558	$62,061	20
24	El Monte	$51,151	$24.59	$39,727	$63,912	20
25	Vista	$51,122	$24.58	$39,658	$63,684	24
26	Concord	$51,110	$24.57	$39,631	$63,778	29
27	Santa Cruz	$51,056	$24.55	$41,652	$61,472	440
28	Clovis	$51,034	$24.54	$39,450	$61,491	19
29	Garden Grove	$50,982	$24.51	$39,122	$63,350	37
30	Temecula	$50,970	$24.51	$39,297	$61,414	25
31	Folsom	$50,940	$24.49	$39,402	$61,471	17
32	Santa Clarita	$50,936	$24.48	$40,255	$66,353	41
33	Lancaster	$50,869	$24.45	$39,060	$66,273	40
34	Inglewood	$50,869	$24.45	$39,060	$66,273	21
35	Corona	$50,805	$24.42	$38,858	$65,892	24
36	Richmond	$50,796	$24.42	$38,686	$62,738	25
37	Rialto	$50,772	$24.41	$38,833	$62,658	17
38	Carlsbad	$50,766	$24.41	$41,275	$64,210	23
39	Torrance	$50,708	$24.38	$38,478	$65,733	26
40	Long Beach	$50,627	$24.34	$37,227	$67,023	89
41	Elk Grove	$50,611	$24.34	$38,405	$61,998	25
42	Oceanside	$50,599	$24.32	$38,377	$61,925	28
43	Sacramento	$50,598	$24.32	$42,036	$65,221	5,650
44	Whittier	$50,584	$24.32	$40,803	$60,904	22
45	San Rafael	$50,580	$24.31	$40,742	$60,858	11
46	Rancho Cucamonga	$50,534	$24.29	$38,226	$61,747	46
47	Hayward	$50,507	$24.28	$38,161	$64,928	23
48	Woodland	$50,493	$24.27	$40,530	$62,449	15
49	Buena Park	$50,485	$24.27	$40,562	$60,711	20
50	Encinitas	$50,481	$24.27	$40,552	$60,570	16
51	Downey	$50,478	$24.27	$37,943	$64,965	22
52	Los Angeles	$50,460	$24.26	$42,653	$65,072	43,090
53	Dublin	$50,450	$24.25	$40,475	$60,596	14
54	Redlands	$50,434	$24.25	$40,437	$62,386	16
55	Chino	$50,406	$24.23	$40,318	$60,327	17
56	Westminster	$50,390	$24.23	$40,125	$62,243	21
57	Roseville	$50,389	$24.23	$41,455	$64,029	35
58	Santa Monica	$50,386	$24.23	$40,270	$60,262	20
59	San Mateo	$50,381	$24.22	$37,870	$64,511	21
60	Tulare	$50,367	$24.22	$40,222	$60,199	17
61	San Buenaventura	$50,349	$24.21	$41,593	$64,536	19
62	Mission Viejo	$50,316	$24.19	$40,149	$60,162	23
63	Moreno Valley	$50,315	$24.19	$39,033	$64,267	53
64	Pleasanton	$50,307	$24.19	$40,129	$61,842	16
65	Pasadena	$50,236	$24.15	$40,088	$64,031	35
66	Santee	$50,201	$24.13	$39,871	$59,791	9
67	Santa Maria	$50,193	$24.13	$42,728	$59,523	1,090
68	Glendale	$50,156	$24.11	$41,131	$63,896	36
69	Mountain View	$50,130	$24.10	$39,699	$59,562	13
70	Pittsburg	$50,126	$24.10	$39,485	$61,379	19
71	Ontario	$50,115	$24.09	$38,733	$62,371	42
72	Novato	$50,110	$24.09	$39,600	$59,371	11
73	Costa Mesa	$50,091	$24.08	$39,746	$63,683	23
74	Berkeley	$50,039	$24.06	$40,853	$60,268	23
75	Huntington Beach	$50,027	$24.05	$40,976	$65,201	50
76	Jurupa Valley	$49,983	$24.03	$40,869	$63,194	24
77	Hemet	$49,968	$24.03	$39,308	$59,043	14
78	Union City	$49,964	$24.03	$39,300	$59,030	11
79	West Covina	$49,958	$24.02	$40,812	$63,081	25
80	Chino Hills	$49,944	$24.02	$39,201	$60,653	21
81	San Luis Obispo	$49,885	$23.98	$42,312	$59,267	610
82	Gilroy	$49,873	$23.97	$39,080	$63,725	10
83	Visalia	$49,853	$23.97	$41,258	$58,703	1,530
84	San Marcos	$49,845	$23.96	$38,810	$63,635	17
85	Oxnard	$49,842	$23.96	$42,110	$62,366	2,070
86	Tustin	$49,803	$23.94	$38,706	$60,329	18
87	San Ramon	$49,798	$23.94	$38,901	$60,188	19
88	Eastvale	$49,750	$23.92	$38,787	$60,035	10
89	Murrieta	$49,749	$23.92	$40,367	$62,428	25
90	Vacaville	$49,749	$23.92	$40,367	$64,409	15
91	Brentwood	$49,727	$23.91	$38,731	$63,245	13
92	Hesperia	$49,704	$23.90	$38,674	$63,167	14
93	Lake Elsinore	$49,699	$23.90	$38,665	$63,027	18
94	Thousand Oaks	$49,641	$23.87	$40,896	$63,224	32
95	Citrus Heights	$49,636	$23.87	$38,514	$59,794	19
96	El Cajon	$49,592	$23.85	$38,378	$62,044	18
97	San Clemente	$49,577	$23.83	$38,322	$62,625	10
98	Modesto	$49,576	$23.83	$40,885	$61,930	1,500
99	Bellflower	$49,558	$23.82	$38,326	$62,689	11
100	Stockton	$49,554	$23.82	$41,801	$60,045	2,560
101	Palmdale	$49,535	$23.81	$39,814	$63,574	29
102	La Mirada	$49,535	$23.81	$41,095	$57,798	10
103	Apple Valley	$49,526	$23.81	$38,251	$59,312	19
104	Menifee	$49,512	$23.80	$39,808	$61,783	20
105	San Bernardino	$49,510	$23.80	$36,248	$65,327	33
106	Yucaipa	$49,491	$23.79	$38,166	$62,470	14
107	Norwalk	$49,487	$23.79	$39,701	$61,574	22
108	Riverside	$49,448	$23.77	$41,482	$59,470	9,940
109	Rancho Cordova	$49,443	$23.77	$38,054	$62,187	20
110	Montebello	$49,396	$23.75	$37,942	$62,160	16
111	Chico	$49,395	$23.75	$41,386	$60,300	790
112	Compton	$49,376	$23.74	$37,844	$58,832	25
113	Porterville	$49,340	$23.72	$37,811	$58,846	11
114	Lompoc	$49,334	$23.72	$40,641	$57,165	8
115	Hawthorne	$49,257	$23.69	$37,615	$58,581	13
116	Antioch	$49,241	$23.67	$39,127	$62,610	17
117	Burbank	$49,237	$23.67	$37,560	$60,894	22
118	Bakersfield	$49,128	$23.62	$40,161	$60,045	1,720
119	Yuba City	$49,128	$23.62	$42,877	$56,434	520
120	Alhambra	$49,123	$23.62	$41,228	$61,275	13
121	Livermore	$49,123	$23.62	$39,594	$61,275	21
122	Orange	$49,108	$23.61	$38,867	$60,477	21
123	South Gate	$49,107	$23.61	$40,989	$61,223	25
124	Victorville	$49,097	$23.60	$38,839	$60,311	30
125	West Sacramento	$49,079	$23.60	$40,922	$61,133	9
126	Poway	$49,067	$23.59	$39,975	$56,451	8
127	San Leandro	$49,001	$23.56	$40,881	$62,541	23
128	Hanford	$48,969	$23.55	$41,982	$62,398	290
129	Indio	$48,945	$23.54	$40,597	$60,700	23
130	Lake Forest	$48,945	$23.54	$40,597	$60,700	14
131	Lodi	$48,871	$23.49	$40,253	$59,912	14
132	Carson	$48,859	$23.49	$40,587	$62,203	21
133	Rocklin	$48,850	$23.48	$40,568	$62,177	10
134	Newport Beach	$48,767	$23.44	$40,368	$60,129	12
135	Redwood City	$48,764	$23.44	$40,309	$59,961	13
136	Turlock	$48,753	$23.44	$40,280	$61,733	17
137	Manteca	$48,737	$23.43	$40,292	$60,028	13
138	Perris	$48,732	$23.43	$40,083	$60,015	12
139	Madera	$48,693	$23.41	$40,188	$59,764	8
140	Baldwin Park	$48,606	$23.37	$39,929	$59,486	19
141	Palo Alto	$48,606	$23.37	$39,979	$61,383	15
142	Lakewood	$48,586	$23.36	$39,932	$59,547	19
143	Beaumont	$48,444	$23.29	$39,393	$59,094	9
144	Tracy	$48,432	$23.28	$39,564	$58,932	14
145	Alameda	$48,416	$23.28	$39,525	$60,647	12
146	Laguna Niguel	$48,404	$23.27	$39,299	$60,734	16
147	Milpitas	$48,381	$23.26	$39,441	$60,535	16
148	Camarillo	$48,279	$23.21	$39,197	$58,568	13
149	Oakley	$48,258	$23.21	$37,985	$58,637	8
150	Davis	$48,247	$23.20	$39,073	$58,313	14
151	Upland	$48,211	$23.17	$38,841	$60,114	18
152	La Habra	$48,140	$23.14	$38,819	$59,733	16
153	Lynwood	$48,120	$23.13	$38,821	$58,067	16
154	Redding	$47,797	$22.98	$39,416	$64,092	760
155	Merced	$47,637	$22.91	$41,578	$54,187	500
156	Fresno	$47,616	$22.90	$40,225	$52,430	3,880
157	El Centro	$47,574	$22.88	$39,703	$50,257	240
158	Brea	$47,299	$22.74	$39,533	$57,206	10

More California Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in California cities.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →Oakland →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →Oakland →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →Oakland →

Compare Cities in California

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Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do certified nursing assistants make in California in 2026?

The average median certified nursing assistant salary in California is $51,757/year across 158 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $47,299 in Brea to $61,956 in Sunnyvale. This makes California one of the higher-paying states, at 15.00% above the national median of $45,007. The state employs approximately 110,719 certified nursing assistants.

What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in California?

Sunnyvale offers the highest certified nursing assistant salary in California at $61,956/year ($29.79/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Sunnyvale ($61,956), Santa Clara ($61,550), Oakland ($61,084). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for nursing services, and competition among employers for licensed certified nursing assistants.

How does California certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?

California's average certified nursing assistant salary of $51,757 is 15.00% above the national median of $45,007 in 2026. The state employs approximately 110,719 certified nursing assistants across 158 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in California?

Entry-level certified nursing assistants (10th percentile) in California earn approximately $43,400/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $36,248 in lower-paying areas to $50,417 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many certified nursing assistants are employed in California?

California employs approximately 110,719 certified nursing assistants across 158 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes California one of the larger employers of certified nursing assistants nationally. Demand continues to grow as the nursing field expands and the population ages.

Which California city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, San Jose offers the highest purchasing power for certified nursing assistants in California, with an adjusted salary of $54,821 (nominal: $60,535, CoL index: 110.423). This means your dollar goes 9% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

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 California. State averages are employment-weighted across 158 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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