Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Seattle, WA: $55,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Seattle, WA earns a median $55,369/year (≈ $26.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $49,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Seattle are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,369, marking a significant 23.02% increase over the national average of $45,007. This salary is indicative of the competitive local market, offering a pay range that spans from $49,054 at the lower end to $71,653 for those at the high end of experience and expertise. These figures derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing how the choice between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals influences compensation structures across the city. The diverse settings within which certified nursing assistants work, from rehabilitation hospitals to home health agencies, play a crucial role in shaping their earning potential and career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,054 | $23.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,237 | $24.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,369 | $26.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,847 | $30.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,653 | $34.45 |
Median Salary Position
23.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,599 (2026 est.). At $55,369, the local median is 23.02% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Seattle median: $55,369/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,173 | +8.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +23.02% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Seattle, WA earn a median of $55,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.02% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 8.20% above the Washington state average of $51,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,369 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,822 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,920
2025 BLS Actual
$51,990
2026 Current Est.
$55,369
2019–2027 Growth
+68.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 48.9% from $34,920 (2019) to $51,990 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,048 (68.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $49,054 – $51,237 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,237 – $55,369 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,369 – $63,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,847 – $71,653 |
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 Seattle
Seattle's job market for certified nursing assistants is robust, with 16,530 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living is notably higher, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 111.133, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer the most competitive compensation, with additional opportunities for financial gain through shift differentials, particularly for night and weekend roles that can command an extra $2-4 per hour. This variability in pay stems from factors like acuity-based pay scales and premium compensation for agency staffing during shortages. For those seeking to maximize their salaries in the Seattle WA market, pursuing advanced certifications or engaging in weekend-only positions can enhance earning potential and facilitate pathways into LPN or RN roles, responding to the ongoing need for skilled healthcare workers post-pandemic.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 $51,990 for certified nursing assistantsin the Seattle 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