Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in San Clemente, CA: $49,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in San Clemente, CA earns a median $49,577/year (≈ $23.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,835 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals working as certified nursing assistants in San Clemente, California can expect to earn a median annual salary of $49,577. This figure positions the local pay approximately 10.15% above the national median of $45,007. The salary range is broadly defined, with entry-level positions starting at around $38,322 and top earners achieving up to $62,625. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities, offering insights into the local market dynamics driven by the nature of the employment settings, such as skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals. The choice between these environments impacts not only the daily responsibilities of CNAs but also their overall compensation.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,322 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,146 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,577 | $23.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,717 | $27.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,625 | $30.11 |
Median Salary Position
10.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,303 (2026 est.). At $49,577, the local median is 10.15% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $49,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,876 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +10.15% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $49,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% below the California state average of $49,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,577 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,835 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,672
2025 BLS Actual
$46,551
2026 Current Est.
$49,577
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,672 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,079 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,489 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,551 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,672 (2019) to $46,551 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,127 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $38,322 – $44,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,146 – $49,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,577 – $56,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,717 – $62,625 |
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 Clemente
Considering the local job market, only ten certified nursing assistants are currently employed in the San Clemente area, indicating a niche workforce amid rising demand as facilities recover from recent staffing challenges. The cost of living here is reflected in the area’s cost of living index of 113.1, which can affect take-home pay significantly. Employers, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer varying wages based on factors like shift differentials—weekends and nights often bring premiums of $1 to $4 per hour—while agency roles may provide higher compensation during shortages. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, CNAs might consider pursuing additional certifications, such as CMA, or seeking positions in higher-acuity settings, where payment structures often reward advanced skills and increased responsibility.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in San Clemente?
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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 $46,551 for certified nursing assistantsin the San Clemente 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 Clemente 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