How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make?
Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, provide basic patient care in addition to helping patients with everyday activities such as bathing/dressing and recording vital signs. They also communicate important health information with the patient’s providers.
If this type of healthcare role interests you, you may be considering nursing assistant training but first want to know: How much does a nursing assistant make? Read on to learn about nursing assistant pay information, as well as how you can prepare for this type of role.
Median Nursing Assistant Pay (Annually, Hourly, and Monthly)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, as of May 2023, the median pay for nursing assistants was $38,200 per year.1 This means that half the workers earned more than this amount and half earned less. The BLS adds that the lowest 10% of nursing assistants had earnings under $30,020 annually,1 which may be more representative of entry-level pay.
Note: UMA’s graduates in the 2022-2023 cohort of its Nursing Assistant diploma program reported to UMA that they earned a median hourly wage that is approximately at or slightly higher than the BLS’s lowest decile.2
A median pay of $38,200 per year equates to roughly $18.36 per hour ($38,200 divided by 2,080 hours per year = $18.36 per hour). When broken down monthly, a nursing assistant earning the median annual pay would make approximately $3,183 per month ($38,200 divided by 12 months = $3,183) before taxes if working full-time.
Nursing Assistant Wages by State
Just as nursing assistant job duties can vary from one employer to the next, a nursing assistant’s wages can also vary. One factor that can impact your earning potential is the state in which you work. Here’s a state-by-state look at the mean nursing assistant wages as of May 2023.3
Note: Mean salaries listed below are not necessarily indicative of UMA graduates by state as they represent an average across all salaries of Nursing Assistants in a given state.
| State | Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,280 |
| Alaska | $47,080 |
| Arizona | $40,950 |
| Arkansas | $32,050 |
| California | $47,070 |
| Colorado | $43,580 |
| Connecticut | $43,050 |
| Delaware | $38,620 |
| Florida | $36,750 |
| Georgia | $34,890 |
| Hawaii | $44,990 |
| Idaho | $37,270 |
| Illinois | $41,300 |
| Indiana | $37,660 |
| Iowa | $38,380 |
| Kansas | $36,020 |
| Kentucky | $35,980 |
| Louisiana | $30,420 |
| Maine | $42,960 |
| Maryland | $40,770 |
| Massachusetts | $44,750 |
| Michigan | $38,930 |
| Minnesota | $42,960 |
| Mississippi | $29,660 |
| Missouri | $36,350 |
| Montana | $40,800 |
| Nebraska | $38,470 |
| Nevada | $43,420 |
| New Hampshire | $45,090 |
| New Jersey | $42,960 |
| New Mexico | $37,030 |
| New York | $46,020 |
| North Carolina | $35,340 |
| North Dakota | $41,020 |
| Ohio | $38,570 |
| Oklahoma | $33,090 |
| Oregon | $46,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,780 |
| Rhode Island | $43,390 |
| South Carolina | $34,590 |
| South Dakota | $36,360 |
| Tennessee | $34,850 |
| Texas | $35,370 |
| Utah | $37,630 |
| Vermont | $41,560 |
| Virginia | $37,440 |
| Washington | $46,430 |
| West Virginia | $35,340 |
| Wisconsin | $40,600 |
| Wyoming | $39,010 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,020 |
| Washington, D.C. | $47,860 |
Additional Factors that Can Impact a Nursing Assistant’s Pay Rate
Many other factors can affect your actual pay as a nursing assistant. Among them are your level of education and experience, your skill set, the certifications you hold, and whether you work in a metropolitan or rural area.
Different employers can also pay different amounts. According to the BLS, nursing assistants working for the government tended to earn the highest wages in May 2023.1 This was followed by those employed by hospitals, then nursing care facilities, assisted living and continuing care facilities, and finally nursing assistants employed by home healthcare services.
Nursing Assistant Job Outlook
Nursing assistant positions are projected to grow 4% between 2023 and 2033, resulting in the creation of approximately 62,400 new jobs during this time.4 This growth is expected to occur, in part, because of an aging population. As the baby boomer generation gets older, more nursing assistants will be needed to help with their care.
The BLS adds that nursing assistant opportunities may increase the most in home- and community-based settings.4 One reason for this is that more patients are thought to prefer these settings. Another is a shift in government funding that would increase nursing assistant demand in these work environments.4
Interested in Pursuing Nursing Assistant Training?
If you’d like to pursue a career as a nursing assistant, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers a Nursing Assistant diploma program. This program provides the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to work in a nursing assistant role. It also prepares you to sit for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam. You must meet eligibility requirements to take the exam.
This training program can be completed in 2 months.5 UMA also offers multiple start dates throughout the year, enabling you to pursue this healthcare career path when it is most convenient for you.
Why choose UMA? We provide you with access to many student support services designed to help you excel in your studies and pursue a career. Struggling with your coursework? Our Academic Services advisors are here to help. Want help preparing for an interview or finding a job as a nursing assistant? Our Career Services team is ready to assist!
Contact us today to learn more about our Nursing Assistant diploma program. We also offer a variety of other healthcare training programs. Let’s talk about your career goals and which program may help you reach them!
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Nursing Assistants and Orderlies. Pay. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-5
2 UMA’s 2022-2023 graduate earnings estimate is based on wage information obtained for UMA’s graduates from the cohort. Earnings information was typically obtained by a self-report from the graduate, and occasionally from the graduate’s employer or other sources.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. 31-1131 Nursing Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311131.htm
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Nursing Assistants and Orderlies. Job Outlook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-6
5 Completion times vary according to the individual student.
Request Information
Talk with us. Start your journey.
Complete this form and we'll call you to explore options at UMA and answer your questions. We'll also email you info on how to get started. We're with you at every step!
Request Information
Talk with us. Start your journey.
Complete this form and we'll call you to explore options at UMA and answer your questions. We'll also email you info on how to get started. We're with you at every step!
About the Author
Epiphany HunterEpiphany Hunter is a Copywriter and SEO Specialist at Ultimate Medical Academy. Her journalism experience centralizes on long-form narrative nonfiction, covering industries including medical devices, health and wellness, and healthcare education. She received her BA in English in 2018 and her MA in Writing and Digital Communications in 2019.
Related Content
