Nursing Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make?
Nursing Assistants earn a median annual salary of $39,530 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,390 at the 10th percentile to $50,140 at the 90th percentile — a range of $18,750. The highest-paying state is Oregon at $48,390.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,390 |
| 25th percentile | $36,260 |
| Median (50th) | $39,530 |
| 75th percentile | $46,070 |
| 90th percentile | $50,140 |
Nursing Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregontop | $48,390 |
| Washington | $48,260 |
| New York | $47,390 |
| District of Columbia | $46,860 |
| California | $46,420 |
| New Hampshire | $46,050 |
| Alaska | $45,840 |
| Maine | $45,640 |
| Minnesota | $45,580 |
| Massachusetts | $45,410 |
| Nevada | $45,060 |
| Colorado | $44,950 |
| New Jersey | $44,910 |
| Hawaii | $44,830 |
| Illinois | $44,750 |
| Connecticut | $44,500 |
| North Dakota | $44,190 |
| Rhode Island | $44,160 |
| Vermont | $43,610 |
| Wisconsin | $43,250 |
| Arizona | $41,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,110 |
| Maryland | $40,000 |
| Montana | $39,300 |
| Delaware | $39,240 |
| Michigan | $38,900 |
| Virginia | $38,790 |
| Iowa | $38,630 |
| Nebraska | $38,620 |
| Ohio | $38,570 |
| Utah | $38,500 |
| Wyoming | $38,360 |
| South Dakota | $38,070 |
| North Carolina | $37,670 |
| Idaho | $37,530 |
| Indiana | $37,330 |
| Kentucky | $37,330 |
| Missouri | $37,170 |
| New Mexico | $37,030 |
| Kansas | $36,910 |
| Florida | $36,850 |
| Tennessee | $36,750 |
| Georgia | $36,570 |
| Texas | $36,390 |
| South Carolina | $36,370 |
| West Virginia | $36,340 |
| Oklahoma | $35,040 |
| Alabama | $32,470 |
| Arkansas | $31,990 |
| Mississippi | $30,460 |
| Louisiana | $30,240 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Nursing Assistants
Nursing Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$31,390 – $36,260 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$39,530 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$46,070 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $50,140+ |
How to Earn More as a Nursing Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Nursing Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $56,220 — $16,690 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($46,070) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Nursing Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistantthis career | $39,530 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse | $93,600 |
| Critical Care Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 31-1131.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.