Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Stockton, CA: $49,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Stockton, CA earns a median $49,554/year (≈ $23.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $47,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Stockton, CA is projected to reach a median annual figure of $49,554, which represents a notable increase compared to national averages in the same year. With a salary range extending from $41,801 at the lower end to $60,045 at the upper, these figures suggest a competitive market for CNAs in the region. This data, gathered from BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that Stockton's market strength is influenced by a variety of factors, including the pursuit of higher credentials such as the transition from CNA to LPN. As the demand for nursing assistants continues to grow, those in Stockton's healthcare landscape can anticipate both increased salaries and opportunities for advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,801 | $20.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,021 | $23.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,554 | $23.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,377 | $25.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,045 | $28.86 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,244 (2026 est.). At $49,554, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Stockton median: $49,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,854 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +10.10% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Stockton, CA earn a median of $49,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% below the California state average of $49,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,554 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,154 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,310
2025 BLS Actual
$46,530
2026 Current Est.
$49,554
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.7% from $33,310 (2019) to $46,530 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,465 (58.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $41,801 – $48,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,021 – $49,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,554 – $52,377 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,377 – $60,045 |
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 Stockton
With approximately 2,560 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Stockton, the local job market reflects a robust demand for skilled workers in healthcare. The cost of living index stands at 105.089, which slightly exceeds the national average, emphasizing the need for a competitive salary to maintain purchasing power. Employers like skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often pay the highest wages, driven by factors such as shift differentials that add $2-$4/hour for night shifts and up to $3 for weekends. Additional incentives like agency premium pay during staffing shortages and CMA certification stipends contribute to the pay disparity across roles. To maximize pay, aspiring CNAs should consider seeking positions with higher acuity care or those offering premium weekend-only roles, strategically aligning their work with market demands to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 $46,530 for certified nursing assistantsin the Stockton 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