Salaries / CNA (nursing assistant) / California
CNA (nursing assistant) pay in California
The median CNA in California earns $22.90 an hour, about $47,632 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Survey wages for nursing assistants across all employers in California, before tax. Your offer depends on the employer, shift and experience. Informational only.
The range
Half of California's nursing assistants earn between $22.04 and $26.35 an hour. The top 10% earn more than $29.38; the bottom 10% less than $19.28.
- $22.90median hourly
- $47,632median, full-time year
- #6 of 51by median, among states and D.C. with data
- +13%vs the U.S. median ($20.32)
| Percentile | Hourly | Full-time year |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19.28 | $40,102 |
| 25th | $22.04 | $45,843 |
| Median | $22.90 | $47,632 |
| 75th | $26.35 | $54,808 |
| 90th | $29.38 | $61,110 |
Yearly figures are hourly × 2,080 hours (40 a week, 52 weeks), the way BLS converts them. Three 12s a week is 1,872 hours, so at the median that is about $42,869 before overtime and differentials.
By metro area
CNA (nursing assistant) pay in California's metro areas, from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($27.33) down to El Centro, CA ($21.48). Metro areas that cross a state line are listed in each state. Rural areas are not shown.
| Metro area | Median hourly | Middle half | Top 10% earn more than |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $27.33 | $24.94–$32.64 | $37.04 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $26.96 | $24.04–$28.33 | $33.91 |
| Napa, CA | $24.21 | $22.51–$26.12 | $30.33 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $23.67 | $22.67–$25.43 | $28.15 |
| Vallejo, CA | $23.51 | $21.33–$27.10 | $30.07 |
| Salinas, CA | $23.50 | $22.36–$24.13 | $27.42 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $23.11 | $22.46–$24.81 | $29.09 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $23.05 | $22.64–$24.40 | $27.75 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $22.84 | $22.25–$24.06 | $29.44 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $22.78 | $22.13–$24.21 | $29.38 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $22.66 | $22.01–$23.37 | $26.87 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $22.52 | $21.19–$23.19 | $26.75 |
| Visalia, CA | $22.51 | $21.11–$23.59 | $26.50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $22.50 | $21.43–$24.07 | $28.16 |
| Modesto, CA | $22.38 | $20.99–$23.62 | $27.96 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $22.37 | $21.68–$23.65 | $27.10 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $22.32 | $21.28–$23.45 | $26.85 |
| Chico, CA | $22.30 | $21.57–$23.61 | $27.22 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $22.18 | $20.55–$23.32 | $27.10 |
| Yuba City, CA | $22.18 | $21.57–$25.48 | $25.48 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $22.11 | $20.88–$25.79 | $28.17 |
| Redding, CA | $21.58 | $19.45–$22.97 | $28.93 |
| Merced, CA | $21.51 | $20.96–$22.55 | $24.46 |
| Fresno, CA | $21.50 | $19.63–$22.61 | $23.67 |
| El Centro, CA | $21.48 | $18.66–$22.62 | $22.69 |
What it is worth at California prices
Prices in California run 10.7% above the U.S. average (BEA regional price parity 110.7). At U.S.-average prices the median CNA wage here buys what $20.68 an hour would, which ranks #25 of 51 states and D.C. Rent is the biggest piece; check the area you would live in with the housing cost reference or the offer calculator.
CNA jobs in California
25 CNA jobs listed in California on our board as of November 11, 2026; 19 post pay. Pay is weekly as posted, before tax; contract and travel pay includes the stipend.
- $900/wkmedian posted weekly pay
- $809–$999middle half of posted pay
- $864/wkStaff jobs, 10 jobs
Nearby in the ranking
- New Hampshire: #4, $23.02/hr
- District of Columbia: #5, $22.93/hr
- Colorado: #7, $22.78/hr
- Vermont: #8, $22.66/hr
- All states for nursing assistants
Weighing a staff job here against PRN or a contract? See what each pays over a year and how to read a pay package.
Sources for this page
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates SOC 31-1131. Released May 15, 2026. Checked November 10, 2026.
- BLS Handbook of Methods, OEWS annual wage calculation Checked November 10, 2026.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, metropolitan areas Released May 15, 2026; imported 2026-11-10. A + marks a wage BLS publishes only as $115.00 an hour or more. Checked November 10, 2026.
- BLS May 2025 metro-area release footnote (wages shown only as $115.00 an hour or more) Checked November 10, 2026.
- Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 Values imported 2026-10-11. Checked November 10, 2026.