Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in San Francisco, CA: $59,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in San Francisco, CA earns a median $59,725/year (≈ $28.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $51,659 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average certified nursing assistant salary in San Francisco is projected to reach $59,725, marking a significant increase compared to the national average of $45,007. This median figure reflects the rising demand for CNAs post-COVID along with a wage reset across the healthcare sector. Salaries for certified nursing assistants in the city span from $49,736 at the 10th percentile to $75,125 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary range based on experience, employer type, and specific job duties. These estimates are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, and they highlight how San Francisco's CNA market sits firmly established on this new compensation floor. With a growth rate of 6.50%, opportunities in this field are not only lucrative but are also expected to expand further in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,736 | $23.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,261 | $25.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,725 | $28.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,125 | $36.11 |
Median Salary Position
32.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,389 (2026 est.). At $59,725, the local median is 32.7% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $59,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,854 | +19.80% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +32.70% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $59,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.70% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 19.80% above the California state average of $49,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,725 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,659 — a 13.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,410
2025 BLS Actual
$56,080
2026 Current Est.
$59,725
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 35.4% from $41,410 (2019) to $56,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,197 (53.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $49,736 – $53,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,261 – $59,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,725 – $62,760 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,760 – $75,125 |
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 Francisco
Currently, there are approximately 11,790 certified nursing assistants employed in the Bay Area, underscoring a robust local job market. San Francisco's cost-of-living index stands at 115.613, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the high living expenses can affect take-home pay. In this environment, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer some of the highest rates of pay, often enhanced by shift differentials that can add $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts or additional premiums for weekend work. Factors contributing to the variance in pay include staffing shortages that can result in agency premium rates, CMA certification stipends, and acuity-based facility pay grades. To maximize earnings, CNAs should consider pursuing shifts in high-demand settings, exploring weekend-only roles, and potentially bridging to higher certifications like LPN or RN, while staying informed about employer incentives during staffing shortages.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $56,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the San Francisco 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