Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Sacramento, CA: $50,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Sacramento, CA earns a median $50,598/year (≈ $24.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $47,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the average compensation for certified nursing assistants is reflective of the broader dynamics between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The anticipated median annual salary for 2026 stands at $50,598, indicating a favorable income level compared to the national median of $45,007. Certified nursing assistants in the region can expect a pay range that spans from $42,036 at the lower end to $65,221 at the higher percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive nature of the job market in Sacramento, making it a viable option for those seeking careers in healthcare and patient services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,036 | $20.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,278 | $23.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,598 | $24.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,293 | $25.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,221 | $31.35 |
Median Salary Position
12.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,185 (2026 est.). At $50,598, the local median is 12.42% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $50,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,850 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.42% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $50,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% above the California state average of $49,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,598 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,434 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,060
2025 BLS Actual
$47,510
2026 Current Est.
$50,598
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.8% from $36,060 (2019) to $47,510 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,827 (49.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $42,036 – $49,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,278 – $50,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,598 – $53,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,293 – $65,221 |
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 Sacramento
In terms of employment, Sacramento boasts around 5,650 certified nursing assistants, reflecting a strong local job market. However, the cost of living in the area, indexed at 106.67, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must also accommodate the higher expenses associated with living in California. Among various employers, hospitals typically offer higher pay compared to assisted living communities and home health agencies, especially in medical/surgical floors and ICUs. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $2-4 per hour for night shifts or a $1-3 bonus for weekends, alongside agency pay premiums during staffing shortages, significantly contribute to the salary variations. To optimize earnings, CNAs in Sacramento should consider pursuing specialized certifications, taking advantage of weekend-only roles, and remaining flexible with their schedules to capitalize on these financial opportunities.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $47,510 for certified nursing assistantsin the Sacramento 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