Nursing Assistant Salary in Riverside, CA
Nursing Assistants in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $46,430 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,036 take-home, or $3,170 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,392
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,879
- Medicare (1.45%)$673
- California income tax$847
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$604
- Take-home pay$38,036
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,950 | $18.73 | $32,423 | $2,702 |
| 25th percentile | $44,270 | $21.28 | $36,415 | $3,035 |
| Median (50th) | $46,430 | $22.32 | $38,036 | $3,170 |
| 75th percentile | $48,770 | $23.45 | $39,757 | $3,313 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,840 | $26.85 | $44,922 | $3,743 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,430 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $38,036 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,734 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are less concentrated in Riverside, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.62), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Riverside, CA ranks #157 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 157 | Riverside, CA | $46,430 | $38,036 | $35,734 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $56,840
- San Francisco, CA — $56,080
- Visalia, CA — $46,810
- Chico, CA — $46,380
- Bakersfield, CA — $46,130
- Merced, CA — $44,730
- Santa Rosa, CA — $49,240
- Vallejo, CA — $48,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Riverside, CA?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $46,430 a year, or about $22.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,270 and $48,770.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $46,430 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $38,036 a year ($3,170 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,450 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,734 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #157 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $79,210
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $59,560
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $56,660
- Phlebotomist — $51,490
- Dental Assistant — $48,500
- Orderly — $47,440
- Medical Assistant — $46,700
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $44,810
- Massage Therapist — $44,760
- Medical Transcriptionist — $42,990
- Pharmacy Aide — $41,600
- Physical Therapist Aide — $38,440