Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Riverside, CA: $49,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Riverside, CA earns a median $49,448/year (≈ $23.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $46,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the anticipated 2026 median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is projected at $49,448, reflecting a significant post-COVID wage adjustment. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $45,007, positioning Riverside’s CNA compensation approximately 9.87% above the national average. The salary range for this role spans from $41,482 at the lower tenth percentile to $59,470 at the ninetieth percentile, providing a diverse landscape of earning potential for those in the field. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting Riverside as an attractive market for professionals seeking elevated wages in this essential healthcare position.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,482 | $19.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,148 | $22.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,448 | $23.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,470 | $28.60 |
Median Salary Position
9.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,988 (2026 est.). At $49,448, the local median is 9.87% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Riverside median: $49,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,847 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +9.87% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Riverside, CA earn a median of $49,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.87% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% below the California state average of $49,847.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,448 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,455 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,930
2025 BLS Actual
$46,430
2026 Current Est.
$49,448
2019–2027 Growth
+55.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 36.8% from $33,930 (2019) to $46,430 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,732 (55.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $41,482 – $47,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,148 – $49,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,448 – $51,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,940 – $59,470 |
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 Riverside
With nearly 9,940 certified nursing assistants employed in the Riverside area, the job market demonstrates robust demand, further supported by a cost of living index of 106.442, which surpasses the national average. This serves as a critical factor that influences take-home pay, as higher living costs necessitate more competitive salaries. Employers in Riverside, including skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, often provide better compensation packages, with many positions offering shift differentials of $2-$4 per hour for nights and weekends. Additionally, premium pay opportunities exist during staffing shortages, and certain facilities offer stipends for CNAs with CMA certification. To maximize earnings in Riverside, aspiring CNAs should consider pathways towards LPN or RN credentials, which can open doors to higher-paying roles within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 $46,430 for certified nursing assistantsin the Riverside 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
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