Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Upland, CA: $48,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Upland, CA earns a median $48,211/year (≈ $23.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,627 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $48,211 for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Upland, California, the compensation reflects a strong market aligned with local cost-of-living adjustments. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $45,007, indicating a competitive wage environment aimed at attracting talent. The salary range for CNAs in Upland spans from $38,841 at the lower end (P10) to $60,114 at the upper end (P90), offering various salary scales depending on experience, employer, and job type. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data highlight the distinctions between job opportunities in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which often yields differing pay rates based on structural choices in patient care.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,841 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,385 | $20.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,211 | $23.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,572 | $26.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,114 | $28.90 |
Median Salary Position
7.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,273 (2026 est.). At $48,211, the local median is 7.12% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Upland median: $48,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $49,857 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.12% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Upland, CA earn a median of $48,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.12% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% below the California state average of $49,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,211 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,627 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,772
2025 BLS Actual
$45,269
2026 Current Est.
$48,211
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,306 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,772 (2019) to $45,269 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,573 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $38,841 – $42,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,385 – $48,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,211 – $54,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,572 – $60,114 |
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 Upland
In Upland, the job market for certified nursing assistants features around 18 professionals currently employed in the area, suggesting a relatively stable demand for these essential roles. However, potential CNAs should be aware of the cost-of-living index, which stands at 113.1, indicating that everyday expenses might impact their take-home earnings. Facilities such as rehabilitation hospitals and home health agencies may offer the most competitive salaries, while shift differentials—often providing an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and premiums for weekend work—can further enhance overall earnings. Additionally, CNA certification stipends and acuity-based facility pay grades increase the pay range, allowing for better compensation opportunities. Those seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Upland, CA, would benefit from gaining experience in higher-acuity clinical settings, considering night or weekend shifts, and exploring opportunities for bridging into LPN or RN pathways.
More salary data for Upland, 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 $45,269 for certified nursing assistantsin the Upland 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 Upland 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