Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Washington, DC: $48,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Washington, DC earns a median $48,702/year (≈ $23.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $44,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earn a median annual salary of $48,702, which exceeds the national median of $45,007 by 8.21%. The salary for CNAs in this city ranges from $38,404 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $58,990 at the high end (90th percentile). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects the competitive nature of the healthcare job market in the district. As healthcare facilities grapple with workforce shortages and rising operational costs, CNAs positioned in skilled nursing settings often see pay differentials compared to those working in hospitals, with the former generally offering more robust remuneration packages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,404 | $18.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,556 | $19.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,702 | $23.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,164 | $25.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,990 | $28.36 |
Median Salary Position
8.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,586 (2026 est.). At $48,702, the local median is 8.21% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Washington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Washington median: $48,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $52,651 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.21% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Washington, DC earn a median of $48,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 7.50% below the District of Columbia state average of $52,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,702 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,728 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,980
2025 BLS Actual
$45,730
2026 Current Est.
$48,702
2019–2027 Growth
+67.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 47.6% from $30,980 (2019) to $45,730 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,888 (67.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $38,404 – $41,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,556 – $48,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,702 – $52,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,164 – $58,990 |
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 Washington
With approximately 25,520 certified nursing assistants working in the Washington area, the job market appears resilient despite economic fluctuations. The cost of living index in the district stands at 108.884, indicating that the purchasing power of a CNA's salary may be somewhat strained when accommodating higher living expenses. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to provide the highest wages, particularly those that implement shift differentials which can add $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends. With the ongoing staffing crisis, increased agency pay rates also contribute to the salary spread. CNAs seeking to maximize their earnings may consider pursuing additional certifications or taking advantage of weekend-only positions that typically come with premium pay, as well as exploring advanced training pathways toward becoming licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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 $45,730 for certified nursing assistantsin the Washington 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