Nursing Assistant Salary
Nursing Assistants earn a median $42,260 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
U.S. median
$42,260
$20.32 per hour
Range
$33,940 – $51,980
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
1,448,910
across the U.S.
▲6.9%
Pay trend: The median for nursing assistants in the U.S. rose from $39,530 (May 2024) to $42,260 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 4.5%.
What nursing assistants do
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 196,200
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 196,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Nursing Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$36,136
per year · effective tax rate 14.5%
$3,011Monthly
$1,506Twice a month
$1,390Every 2 weeks
$17.37Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,891
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,620
- Medicare (1.45%)$613
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,136
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,940 | $16.32 | $29,451 |
| 25th percentile | $37,260 | $17.91 | $32,118 |
| Median (50th) | $42,260 | $20.32 | $36,136 |
| 75th percentile | $47,220 | $22.70 | $40,121 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,980 | $24.99 | $43,946 |
Best cities for nursing assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 | 5,350 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 | 2,780 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 | 4,660 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 | 16,530 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 | 11,790 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 | 7,880 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 | 3,080 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 | 5,930 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $45,260 | $37,336 | $38,377 | 3,420 |
| 10 | Peoria, IL | $43,040 | $34,777 | $38,120 | 2,740 |
| 11 | Portland, ME | $48,180 | $38,822 | $38,114 | 3,380 |
| 12 | Dayton, OH | $41,670 | $35,298 | $38,080 | 4,970 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $42,970 | $36,307 | $38,030 | 10,020 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $49,110 | $40,187 | $37,991 | 10,350 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs, CO | $46,120 | $37,917 | $37,650 | 4,910 |
| 16 | Providence, RI | $46,330 | $38,286 | $37,619 | 13,030 |
| 17 | Springfield, MA | $44,740 | $36,112 | $37,592 | 2,930 |
| 18 | Lancaster, PA | $44,890 | $36,871 | $37,525 | 3,380 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,080 | $35,472 | $37,469 | 12,140 |
| 20 | Manchester, NH | $46,400 | $39,462 | $37,350 | 2,410 |
| 21 | Louisville, KY | $42,220 | $34,744 | $37,329 | 7,650 |
| 22 | Minneapolis, MN | $48,020 | $39,014 | $37,219 | 14,590 |
| 23 | Sioux Falls, SD | $39,190 | $33,669 | $37,150 | 2,930 |
| 24 | Portland, OR | $50,350 | $39,060 | $37,052 | 8,890 |
| 25 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,220 | $37,899 | $36,955 | 30,680 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $56,840
- San Francisco, CA — $56,080
- Seattle, WA — $51,990
- Portland, OR — $50,350
- New York, NY — $49,270
- Denver, CO — $49,110
- Portland, ME — $48,180
- San Diego, CA — $48,070
- Minneapolis, MN — $48,020
- Boston, MA — $47,590
- Sacramento, CA — $47,510
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,380
- Spokane, WA — $47,240
- Chicago, IL — $46,940
- Stockton, CA — $46,530
Nursing Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 | +3.0% | $38,688 | $43,210 – $61,310 | 14,800 |
| Washington | $49,180 | +1.9% | $41,696 | $42,500 – $62,660 | 30,270 |
| New York | $48,590 | +2.5% | $39,195 | $38,450 – $59,890 | 87,990 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | +4.0% | $40,644 | $39,140 – $59,660 | 7,810 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | +1.8% | $38,811 | $38,900 – $57,500 | 3,490 |
| California | $47,630 | +2.6% | $38,924 | $40,110 – $61,100 | 110,060 |
| Colorado | $47,380 | +5.4% | $38,874 | $38,690 – $56,070 | 22,240 |
| Vermont | $47,130 | +8.1% | $38,904 | $37,620 – $59,600 | 3,030 |
| Maine | $47,070 | +3.1% | $38,005 | $39,100 – $58,120 | 8,540 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 | +4.3% | $38,768 | $38,900 – $55,140 | 32,400 |
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | +2.8% | $37,573 | $39,380 – $57,880 | 38,130 |
| Minnesota | $46,680 | +2.4% | $38,009 | $38,010 – $55,410 | 29,120 |
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | +5.2% | $38,370 | $39,220 – $54,950 | 10,220 |
| Alaska | $46,370 | +1.2% | $39,438 | $39,450 – $58,430 | 2,060 |
| Illinois | $45,960 | +2.7% | $36,979 | $37,590 – $54,050 | 68,640 |
| North Dakota | $45,820 | +3.7% | $38,996 | $35,130 – $51,380 | 6,840 |
| Nevada | $45,490 | +1.0% | $38,731 | $36,940 – $50,680 | 8,100 |
| Hawaii | $45,350 | +1.2% | $36,669 | $36,000 – $52,660 | 5,050 |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | +4.3% | $37,237 | $37,900 – $50,650 | 28,370 |
| Connecticut | $44,790 | +0.7% | $37,078 | $38,660 – $53,870 | 21,380 |
| Arizona | $44,780 | +6.7% | $37,250 | $37,100 – $57,820 | 20,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | +8.5% | $36,639 | $37,760 – $49,360 | 67,740 |
| Maryland | $43,240 | +8.1% | $35,233 | $36,060 – $49,330 | 27,720 |
| Virginia | $43,200 | +11.4% | $35,221 | $31,560 – $50,980 | 40,580 |
| Delaware | $42,030 | +7.1% | $34,295 | $36,530 – $48,080 | 5,530 |
| Montana | $40,900 | +4.1% | $33,878 | $36,780 – $49,700 | 4,390 |
| Nebraska | $40,000 | +3.6% | $33,380 | $37,090 – $48,980 | 16,450 |
| Utah | $39,840 | +3.5% | $33,365 | $34,870 – $47,080 | 12,260 |
| Michigan | $39,570 | +1.7% | $32,544 | $36,830 – $46,740 | 43,290 |
| New Mexico | $39,390 | +6.4% | $33,103 | $34,110 – $48,340 | 4,750 |
| Iowa | $39,350 | +1.9% | $32,954 | $35,620 – $47,980 | 22,670 |
| Wyoming | $39,160 | +2.1% | $33,645 | $33,390 – $49,610 | 2,830 |
| Ohio | $39,010 | +1.1% | $33,234 | $35,060 – $46,570 | 63,280 |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | +1.9% | $33,356 | $31,110 – $46,100 | 6,860 |
| Idaho | $38,650 | +3.0% | $32,295 | $28,380 – $47,430 | 7,910 |
| North Carolina | $38,460 | +2.1% | $32,057 | $30,260 – $47,080 | 64,010 |
| Kentucky | $38,370 | +2.8% | $31,785 | $30,390 – $46,450 | 23,410 |
| Indiana | $38,330 | +2.7% | $31,877 | $35,390 – $46,890 | 33,640 |
| Kansas | $38,010 | +3.0% | $31,400 | $32,180 – $46,980 | 24,610 |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +3.4% | $32,705 | $31,110 – $44,660 | 27,040 |
| Georgia | $37,680 | +3.0% | $31,123 | $30,300 – $47,310 | 43,440 |
| Missouri | $37,680 | +1.4% | $31,622 | $31,350 – $45,260 | 34,050 |
| Florida | $37,510 | +1.8% | $32,319 | $34,350 – $46,790 | 96,960 |
| Texas | $37,500 | +3.1% | $32,311 | $30,620 – $47,500 | 88,680 |
| South Carolina | $37,220 | +2.3% | $31,010 | $30,460 – $44,760 | 21,760 |
| West Virginia | $36,720 | +1.0% | $30,695 | $31,060 – $45,290 | 9,390 |
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | +2.5% | $29,978 | $29,630 – $42,870 | 19,410 |
| Arkansas | $34,430 | +7.6% | $28,714 | $28,840 – $39,020 | 17,260 |
| Alabama | $34,140 | +5.1% | $28,169 | $28,330 – $38,680 | 25,250 |
| Mississippi | $31,520 | +3.5% | $26,978 | $27,050 – $38,290 | 14,200 |
| Louisiana | $30,510 | +0.9% | $26,166 | $27,980 – $37,390 | 20,690 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
| Orderly | $38,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $35,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +18.1% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make?
The national median salary for nursing assistants is $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,940 and the top 10% earn over $51,980. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays nursing assistants the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $49,830. After taxes and local prices, San Jose, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many nursing assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 1,448,910 people work as nursing assistants nationwide.
All 113 cities
- Akron, OH
- Albany, NY
- Allentown, PA
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Asheville, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Augusta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise City, ID
- Boston, MA
- Bridgeport, CT
- Buffalo, NY
- Canton, OH
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Dayton, OH
- Deltona, FL
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- Durham, NC
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Fresno, CA
- Gainesville, FL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Harrisburg, PA
- Hartford, CT
- Hickory, NC
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jackson, MS
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Kiryas Joel, NY
- Knoxville, TN
- Lakeland, FL
- Lancaster, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Lincoln, NE
- Little Rock, AR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Madison, WI
- Manchester, NH
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Haven, CT
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- North Port, FL
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Palm Bay, FL
- Peoria, IL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Roanoke, VA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Scranton, PA
- Seattle, WA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Spokane, WA
- Springfield, MA
- Springfield, MO
- St. Louis, MO
- Stockton, CA
- Syracuse, NY
- Tampa, FL
- Toledo, OH
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- Wichita, KS
- Wilmington, NC
- Winston, NC
- Worcester, MA
- Youngstown, OH