Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Newport Beach, CA: $48,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Newport Beach, CA earns a median $48,767/year (≈ $23.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Newport Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Newport Beach, California, is projected to reach a median annual income of $48,767, which stands notably higher than the national figure of $45,007. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in the area will stretch from $40,368 at the 10th percentile to $60,129 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, take into account regional cost adjustments, reflecting the economic realities of living in a high-cost area like Newport Beach. This city’s job market for nursing assistants demonstrates resilience and growth, especially in the wake of the shifts brought on by the pandemic, where many industries experienced significant wage resets.
About the Newport Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,368 | $19.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,534 | $20.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,767 | $23.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,793 | $26.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,129 | $28.90 |
Median Salary Position
8.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport Beach
In Newport Beach, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,761 (2026 est.). At $48,767, the local median is 8.35% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport Beach Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Newport Beach median: $48,767/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,864 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.35% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $48,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.20% below the California state average of $49,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,767 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,118 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,138
2025 BLS Actual
$45,791
2026 Current Est.
$48,767
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Newport Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,138 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,428 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,748 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,392 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,681 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,791 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,937 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport Beach metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,138 (2019) to $45,791 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,937 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,799 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport 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) | $40,368 – $43,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,534 – $48,767 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,767 – $54,793 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,793 – $60,129 |
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 Newport Beach
With only 12 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Newport Beach, the local job market shows a unique dynamic. The cost-of-living index for the area is at 113.1, indicating that prices are above national averages, which can impact the effective purchasing power of these salaries. Among the various healthcare settings, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest pay rates for certified nursing assistants, particularly during nights and weekends due to shift differentials that can add an extra $2-4 per hour. Given the current staffing shortages, agencies may also offer premium pay. To maximize earnings, CNAs in Newport Beach may consider securing weekend-only premium roles and pursuing additional certifications, which can lead to greater responsibilities and better compensation pathways, including transitions to LPN or RN positions.
More salary data for Newport 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 $45,791 for certified nursing assistantsin the Newport 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 Newport 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