Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in San Diego, CA: $51,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in San Diego, CA earns a median $51,195/year (≈ $24.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $45,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in San Diego are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,195, reflecting a market that has recalibrated significantly following the impacts of COVID-19 on workforce compensation. This figure stands above the national median salary for the profession of $45,007, indicating that the local market is not only resilient but also offering opportunities for better pay. Certified nursing assistant salaries in San Diego range from approximately $43,047 at the 10th percentile to $64,443 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a compelling upward trend driven by both demand and the ongoing recovery in healthcare employment. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, demonstrates how the region's nursing workforce is evolving amid a competitive landscape post-pandemic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,047 | $20.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,746 | $23.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,195 | $24.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,954 | $26.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,443 | $30.98 |
Median Salary Position
13.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,396 (2026 est.). At $51,195, the local median is 13.75% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
San Diego median: $51,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,849 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +13.75% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Diego, CA earn a median of $51,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.75% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.70% above the California state average of $49,849.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,195 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,756 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,830
2025 BLS Actual
$48,070
2026 Current Est.
$51,195
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 34.2% from $35,830 (2019) to $48,070 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,692 (52.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $43,047 – $49,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,746 – $51,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,195 – $54,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,954 – $64,443 |
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 Diego
As of 2026, nearly 9,670 certified nursing assistants are employed in San Diego, underscoring the strength of the local job market. However, the cost of living in this coastal city, reflected by a cost of living index of 111.887, indicates that while salaries may seem attractive, they need to be weighed against living expenses. Various healthcare facilities, from skilled nursing environments to hospitals and home health agencies, offer varied pay rates, with the most competitive salaries often found in intensive care units and specialty rehabilitation centers. Factors that contribute to the disparity in pay include shift differentials, where night shifts may add $2-$4 per hour and weekends provide an additional premium of $1-$3. Moreover, during staffing shortages, agency roles can command higher rates, thus enabling savvy professionals to maximize their earnings. For certified nursing assistants seeking to enhance their income, exploring weekend-only positions, obtaining additional certifications, and remaining flexible with shift preferences can be crucial strategies in the San Diego market.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $48,070 for certified nursing assistantsin the San Diego 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