Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $50,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $50,386/year (≈ $24.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $44,550 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Monica, a certified nursing assistant’s success is significantly influenced by their choice of employer—whether in skilled nursing facilities or hospitals. In 2026, these professionals can expect a median annual salary of $50,386, surpassing the national median by 11.95%. The salary range in the area spans from $40,270 at the 10th percentile to $60,262 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and employer funding. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost variations, highlighting that the demand for CNAs is robust in this seaside city, especially in settings prioritizing patient care and rehabilitation.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,939 | $21.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,386 | $24.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,611 | $26.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,262 | $28.97 |
Median Salary Position
11.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,992 (2026 est.). At $50,386, the local median is 11.95% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be above the median
How Santa Monica Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $50,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,838 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +11.95% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $50,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% above the California state average of $49,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,386 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,550 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,205
2025 BLS Actual
$47,311
2026 Current Est.
$50,386
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,205 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,933 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,205 (2019) to $47,311 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,456 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $40,270 – $43,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,939 – $50,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,386 – $55,611 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,611 – $60,262 |
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 Santa Monica
The local job market for certified nursing assistants in Santa Monica currently employs around 20 professionals, indicating a focused but competitive environment. With a cost of living index of 113.1, which is higher than the national average, take-home pay is crucial for maintaining a reasonable standard of living. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospitals, particularly in critical care and surgical units, while skilled nursing facilities also provide competitive wages. The pay disparity can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts often yielding an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend work providing a premium of $1 to $3. Those interested in maximizing their certified nursing assistant salary in Santa Monica, CA, would benefit from gaining additional certifications or exploring roles that offer weekend-only or agency positions, which frequently pay more during staffing shortages. Additionally, establishing a career pathway towards LPN or RN status can lead to significantly higher earning potential as the demand for skilled nursing staff continues to rise.
More salary data for Santa Monica, 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 $47,311 for certified nursing assistantsin the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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