Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Long Beach, CA: $50,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Long Beach, CA earns a median $50,627/year (≈ $24.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $44,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected certified nursing assistant salary in Long Beach, CA, has risen significantly to reflect a post-COVID wage reset, with the median annual wage expected to be $50,627 in 2026. The salary range for this role spans from $37,227 at the 10th percentile to $67,023 at the 90th percentile, indicating a dynamic job market. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Compared to the national median of $45,007 for the same year, the local pay indicates a solid advantage of nearly 12.5%, highlighting the competitive nature of the Long Beach market as it rebounds from recent challenges.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,227 | $17.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,006 | $21.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,627 | $24.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,313 | $28.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,023 | $32.23 |
Median Salary Position
12.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,796 (2026 est.). At $50,627, the local median is 12.49% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $50,627/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,830 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.49% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $50,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.49% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% above the California state average of $49,830.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,627 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,763 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,364
2025 BLS Actual
$47,537
2026 Current Est.
$50,627
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,095 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,225 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,918 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,364 (2019) to $47,537 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,554 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,227 – $45,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,006 – $50,627 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,627 – $59,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,313 – $67,023 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Long Beach
With 89 certified nursing assistants currently in employment in Long Beach, the local job market for this profession shows promise. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that wages must keep pace with the rising expenses of living in the area. Among the top-paying employers are skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which typically offer higher compensation due to the demanding nature of their services. Factors influencing the variation in pay include shift differentials—often an additional $2-4/hour for night shifts—and premiums for weekend work. Moreover, categories like agency premium pay during staffing shortages and certifications can create opportunities for higher wages. For those considering advancement, utilizing pathways to become an LPN or RN can further enhance earning potential in Long Beach, as the field continues to grow at an annual rate of 6.50%.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,537 for certified nursing assistantsin the Long Beach metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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