Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Guide: California
Average Certified Nursing Assistant Salary
$17.61/hour
The average salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant in California is $17.61 per hour. This is 10% lower than the US average of $19.33.
Estimate based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in California compared to National Averages
$17.61/hour
California
10% lower than the US average.
$19.33/hour
United States
How does the pay for Certified Nursing Assistants in California compare to nearby states?
Washington pays Certified Nursing Assistants the most, averaging $16 per hour, followed by Michigan ($15). Washington also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $20. For comparison, the California average for Certified Nursing Assistants is $18 per hour — Washington pays 8% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $16 | $20 |
| Michigan | $15 | $19 |
Last updated on November 4, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.

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