Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $52,441 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $52,441/year (≈ $25.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $48,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, the ascending trajectory of certified nursing assistant pay is marked by a promising median salary of $52,441 in 2026. This figure represents a notable increase from current figures, underscoring the area’s responsiveness to the growing demand for nursing support roles. With a salary range stretching from $45,380 at the 10th percentile to $62,356 at the 90th percentile, certified nursing assistants stand to benefit from a competitive labor market and the potential for advancement. BLS data shows a clear upward trend, with local wages already surpassing the national median of $45,007 by 16.52%. This reflects not only local economic conditions but also the demand for skilled nursing staff as healthcare systems continue to rebound post-pandemic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,215 | $24.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,441 | $25.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,317 | $27.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,356 | $29.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,976 (2026 est.). At $52,441, the local median is 16.52% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $52,441/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,848 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +16.52% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $52,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.52% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% above the California state average of $49,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,441 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,654 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,310
2025 BLS Actual
$49,240
2026 Current Est.
$52,441
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,441 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.0% from $37,310 (2019) to $49,240 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,539 (49.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $45,380 – $50,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,215 – $52,441 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,441 – $56,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,317 – $62,356 |
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 Rosa
In terms of the local job market, there are approximately 1,250 certified nursing assistants currently employed in the region, contributing to a robust healthcare workforce. However, with a cost-of-living index of 107.784, Santa Rosa presents a unique challenge to take-home purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest wages, but a wide pay range emerges based on specialty and work conditions. Factors like shift differentials for nights and weekends, which can add $2-4/hr and $1-3/hr respectively, are crucial for maximizing earnings. Other drivers of wage variability include agency pay during staffing shortages and specialized certifications like the CMA stipend. For those looking to enhance their earnings in Santa Rosa, pursuing additional certifications like LPN and actively seeking roles with higher acuity can lead to significant financial benefits throughout their career.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $49,240 for certified nursing assistantsin the Santa Rosa 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