Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Visalia, CA: $49,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Visalia, CA earns a median $49,853/year (≈ $23.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $49,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect a median annual salary of $49,853 in 2026, which is significantly above the national median of $45,007. This competitive pay is reflective of the local demand for healthcare services, especially in skilled nursing facilities, compared to hospitals. Certified nursing assistants in this region have a salary range that spans from $41,258 at the 10th percentile to $58,703 at the 90th percentile, based on official BLS OEWS surveys. Employers in Visalia recognize the unique demands of various healthcare settings, which contribute to this pay disparity, creating varied opportunities within the job market for CNAs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,258 | $19.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,754 | $22.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,853 | $23.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,270 | $25.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,703 | $28.22 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,445 (2026 est.). At $49,853, the local median is 10.77% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Visalia Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Visalia median: $49,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $45,007 | +10.77% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Visalia, CA earn a median of $49,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% higher than the national median of $45,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $49,853 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,940 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,890
2025 BLS Actual
$46,810
2026 Current Est.
$49,853
2019–2027 Growth
+83.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,093 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 62.0% from $28,890 (2019) to $46,810 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,203 (83.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $41,258 – $46,754 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,754 – $49,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,853 – $52,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,270 – $58,703 |
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 Visalia
With 1,530 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Visalia, the local job market is robust for this profession. The area's cost of living index is at 99.825, slightly below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of a CNA's salary. In Visalia, skilled nursing facilities typically offer some of the highest wages, while roles in hospitals and home health agencies might provide lower salary offerings. Factors that influence pay rates include shift differentials, such as increased hourly rates for evening and weekend shifts, as well as the potential for agency premium pay during staffing shortages. To maximize certified nursing assistant pay in Visalia, pursuing additional certifications like CMA or seeking weekend-only roles can be advantageous, along with considering opportunities in higher-acuity facilities that often provide better compensation.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Visalia, CA in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Visalia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Visalia?
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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 $46,810 for certified nursing assistantsin the Visalia 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