Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $49,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $49,510/year (≈ $23.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,775 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Certified nursing assistants in San Bernardino, California, can expect a median annual salary of $49,510 in 2026, reflecting an encouraging trend in the region's healthcare sector. For those considering a career in this field, the salary range reflects varying levels of experience and responsibility, with figures stretching from $36,248 at the 10th percentile to $65,327 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost of living, underscore the difference in pay scales between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. Given that San Bernardino's healthcare environment is evolving, job seekers should be aware of the competitive landscape, where pay structures can significantly influence career advancement.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,248 | $17.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,892 | $21.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,944 | $26.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,327 | $31.41 |
Median Salary Position
10.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,079 (2026 est.). At $49,510, the local median is 10.01% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $49,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,859 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +10.01% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $49,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.01% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.70% below the California state average of $49,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,775 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,627
2025 BLS Actual
$46,488
2026 Current Est.
$49,510
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,936 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,022 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,488 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,728 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,627 (2019) to $46,488 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,101 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $36,248 – $43,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,892 – $49,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,510 – $55,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,944 – $65,327 |
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 San Bernardino
Amid a market with only 33 certified nursing assistants reported in the area, San Bernardino's cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating above-average living expenses. This means that while salaries for certified nursing assistant pay in San Bernardino CA seem favorable, their purchasing power might be impacted. Typically, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies offer the highest pay, with shifts on nights and weekends often attracting premiums of $2-4 per hour and $1-3 per hour respectively. Furthermore, the variations in pay are influenced by factors such as agency staffing needs, which can result in higher wages during shortages, as well as opportunities for certified medication aides (CMA) who receive stipends. To maximize earnings in this local market, focusing on specialty roles or enhancing credentials through bridge programs to LPN or RN could prove beneficial.
More salary data for San Bernardino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in San Bernardino, CA in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in San Bernardino?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in San Bernardino?
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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 $46,488 for certified nursing assistantsin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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