How Much Does a Nursing Assistant Make? (2025)
Nursing assistants, also known as nursing aides, support the nursing staff with fundamental patient care, encompassing hygiene, mobility, nutrition, and comfort. They also assist in dressing, bathing, transferring patients, and documenting vital signs under the direction of a nurse.
Additionally, they manage bed linens and lunch assistance. Many of these professionals work in settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities, depending on the level of care required.
The nursing assistant salary is competitive, making it an attractive career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% growth in demand for nursing assistants from 2023 to 2033. According to Salary.com, the average nursing assistant as of August 5, 2025, is $35,100, with salary expectations influenced by key factors like geographic location, actuarial exams passed, and internship experience. This amount closely aligns with the national median annual wage for similar entry-level healthcare roles.
Keep reading this salary guide to explore the nursing assistant salary, the highest-paying cities, and answers to common questions about the job and career path for nursing assistants.
What is the Nursing Assistant's Salary
As of August 5, 2025, the average nursing assistant salary in the United States is $35,100 per year or $17 per hour, according to Salary.com. The salary range for a nursing assistant is between $30,706 and $40,831, with most actuarial salaries falling between $32,800 and $38,100 annually.
2025 Average Salary for Nursing Assistant: $35,100 per year ($17 per hour)
The average nursing assistant monthly salary is $2,925 and a weekly pay of $675. The hourly pay for a nursing assistant is $17, reflecting the competitive earning potential for candidates entering this field.
Percentile
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $15 | $590 | $2,559 | $30,706 |
| 25th Percentile | $16 | $631 | $2,733 | $32,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $17 | $675 | $2,925 | $35,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $18 | $733 | $3,175 | $38,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $20 | $785 | $3,403 | $40,831 |
Apart from base pay, nursing assistants often receive additional cash compensation, health benefits, and paid time off, contributing to a robust total compensation package. The average total compensation for a nursing assistant is $52,284 per year.
Nursing Assistant Salaries State by State
Nursing assistant salaries vary significantly by state due to factors such as cost of living, local economies, and the presence of insurance companies, consulting firms, or other industries like finance. When evaluating state-based wages, it's helpful to compare median pay rates with living costs and job opportunities.
The table below highlights that the highest-paying states for nursing assistants are the District of Columbia ($38,800), California ($38,700), and Massachusetts ($38,200). Conversely, the lowest average salaries are found in Mississippi ($31,300), Arkansas ($31,700), and Nebraska ($33,100).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $38,000 |
| Alabama | $32,200 |
| Arkansas | $31,700 |
| Arizona | $34,200 |
| California | $38,700 |
| Colorado | $35,800 |
| Connecticut | $37,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,800 |
| Delaware | $35,500 |
| Florida | $33,200 |
| Georgia | $33,800 |
| Hawaii | $36,700 |
| Iowa | $33,600 |
| Idaho | $32,800 |
| Illinois | $35,800 |
| Indiana | $33,700 |
| Kansas | $33,400 |
| Kentucky | $33,000 |
| Louisiana | $33,400 |
| Massachusetts | $38,200 |
| Maryland | $36,200 |
| Maine | $34,200 |
| Michigan | $34,600 |
| Minnesota | $35,900 |
| Missouri | $33,300 |
| Mississippi | $31,300 |
| Montana | $33,100 |
| North Carolina | $33,300 |
| North Dakota | $34,700 |
| Nebraska | $33,100 |
| New Hampshire | $35,500 |
| New Jersey | $38,000 |
| New Mexico | $32,500 |
| Nevada | $34,700 |
| New York | $37,300 |
| Ohio | $34,200 |
| Oklahoma | $32,400 |
| Oregon | $35,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,900 |
| Rhode Island | $36,400 |
| South Carolina | $32,900 |
| South Dakota | $31,900 |
| Tennessee | $32,800 |
| Texas | $34,200 |
| Utah | $33,600 |
| Virginia | $35,300 |
| Vermont | $34,400 |
| Washington | $38,000 |
| Wisconsin | $34,500 |
| West Virginia | $31,600 |
| Wyoming | $33,600 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Entry Level Actuaries?
Nursing assistant salaries also vary by city due to differences in cost of living, local demand, and the presence of insurance companies, consulting firms, and reinsurance employers.
California cities like San Jose and San Francisco lead with average salaries of $44,200 and $43,800, respectively, for nursing assistants. Before relocating for higher pay, it's wise to research housing costs and job stability in target cities.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $44,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $43,800 |
| Oakland, CA | $42,800 |
| New York, NY | $40,600 |
| Queens Village, NY | $40,400 |
| Paramus, NJ | $40,100 |
How Does Experience Affect Nursing Assistant Salaries?
The salary for a nursing assistant grows as candidates gain experience and progress. According to a Salary.com survey, entry-level nursing assistants with less than 1 year of experience earn an average of $34,688 per year, while experienced nursing assistants with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $36,443 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nursing Assistant | $80,379 |
| Intermediate Level Nursing Assistant | $81,134 |
| Senior Level Nursing Assistant | $82,880 |
| Specialist Level Nursing Assistant | $83,229 |
| Expert Level Nursing Assistant | $83,462 |
How to Increase Salary as a Nursing Assistant?
Nursing assistants often complete a state-sanctioned curriculum that includes both classroom education and supervised clinical practice, provided by colleges and universities and healthcare organizations. They receive concise on-the-job training to familiarize themselves with their employer's policies and processes. In addition, candidates are usually required to undergo a criminal background check before employment.
Nursing Assistant Advancements
- Get certifications and licenses: Nursing assistants usually need a state-issued licensure or certification. Upon finishing an accredited educational program, nursing assistants generally must pass a competency examination, enabling them to utilize state-specific designations. In certain states, a nursing assistant is referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), although designations differ by state. They may obtain supplementary credentials, such as Certified Medication Assistant (CMA). As a CMA, they may administer medications.
- Gain necessary experience: According to Salary.com, entry-level nursing assistants earn an average of $34,688 per year and that is with less than one year of experience. Those with 5-8 years of experience can earn an average of $36,129 per year and those with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $36,443 annually.
- Learn highly compensated skills: Salary.com reports that nursing assistants with skills like triage and hospice care can get a salary increase of 9.70% and 7.83%, respectively. Some skills are also highly in demand like healthcare data privacy and protection and patient safety which the demand are about 10.70% and 10.60%, respectively.
Nursing Assistant Skills
Nursing assistants with in-demand skills can significantly increase their salaries. According to a Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, nursing assistants with triage skills can earn a +9.70% salary increase, while those with hospice care can see a +7.83% increase. When nursing assistants are unable to acquire these skills, their advancement opportunities may become limited.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Triage | 10.50% | +9.70% |
| Hospice Care | 10.50% | +7.83% |
| Patient Safety | 10.60% | +7.69% |
| Medication Administration and Prescription | 10.50% | +7.51% |
| Therapeutic Care | 10.60% | +7.07% |
| Healthcare Data Privacy and Protection | 10.70% | +6.70% |
What are the FAQs About Nursing Assistant Salaries?
Here are some common questions about nursing assistant salaries:
How much do nursing assistants get paid?
As of August 5, 2025, the average nursing assistant in the U.S. earns $35,100 per year or $17 per hour, according to Salary.com. Entry-level nursing assistants earn an average of $34,688 annually, and expert-level nursing assistants with more than 8 years of experience earn an average of $36,443 per year, depending on factors like industry and location. Job seekers should be prepared to respond to employer questions about experience, certifications, and availability during interviews.
What does a nursing assistant do?
A nursing assistant helps the nursing team in diverse patient care tasks and associated services essential for addressing patients' specific requirements, comfort, and safety. They facilitate patients in changing into and out of clothing, bathing, consuming food, walking, and engaging in other activities. They guarantee patients' welfare and comfort and replace bed linens and facilitate patient transfer to examinations and treatments. They may deliver and retrieve food trays and offer patients food between meals. A nursing assistant may document temperature or vital signs under the supervision of a nurse. These responsibilities vary slightly depending on the type of healthcare facility.
How to become a nursing assistant?
According to BLS, requirements for nursing assistants differ by state. Nursing assistants usually need a state-issued licensure or certification. Upon finishing an accredited educational program, nursing assistants typically must pass a competency examination, enabling them to utilize state-specific designations. In certain states, a nursing assistant is referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), although designations differ by state. In certain states, nursing assistants may obtain supplementary credentials, such as Certified Medication Assistant (CMA).
