Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Healthcare · $42,260 median · ~4 weeks–3 months training · Structurally WPE-eligible
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS/OOH 2025), last reviewed August 20, 2026. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
lowest wage in corpus at entry
CNA median wage ($39,540) is the lowest in the NotCollege MVP cohort. The role exists in our MVP because it's the most accessible healthcare on-ramp — but staying in CNA long-term is a financial squeeze, especially in high-cost-of-living areas.
physical demands extreme
CNA work involves patient transfers, lifting up to 100 lb regularly, constant standing/ walking. Back injuries are the leading cause of workforce exit. Burnout rates extremely high due to understaffing patterns common in nursing homes.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Entry CNA at long-term care/skilled nursing $30-36K
- Experienced CNA at hospital $38-46K
- Specialty CNA (ICU tech, ER tech, dialysis) $42-52K with shift differentials
- Senior CNA or charge aide $44-56K
- Hospice CNA $40-48K. CALIFORNIA AND NORTHEAST PAY MATERIALLY MORE than national — CA CNAs frequently $48-58K with strong union representation. CNA wage is intentionally entry-tier in healthcare ladder — the path's primary value is as STEPPING STONE to LPN ($62K, year 2 advancement) and RN ($86K, year 5 advancement). Hospital tuition reimbursement for LPN bridge programs is the dominant career growth pathway. Treating CNA as long-term destination understates the path's true income trajectory — the ladder is the path.
Workforce Pell eligibility
This path's typical training duration fits under the federal Workforce Pell 599-hour cap. State approval status varies — check the Workforce Pell tracker.
Open the Workforce Pell tracker →Training
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Common sponsors: Nursing home operators (Genesis Healthcare, Brookdale, etc.), Hospital systems (Kaiser, HCA, Banner — many offer CNA training in exchange for employment), Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP), 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund (NY healthcare union)
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
Nurse Aide Registry Listing (CNA)
State Nurse Aide Registry
CNA cert is state-by-state — moving states requires reciprocity application or re-testing in many cases. Federal OBRA-87 sets 75-hour floor but states vary (75 to 180 hours).
Source ↗Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
American Heart Association
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- Free–$2,500
- Training pays for itself in
- about 3 weeks
The low end is the cheapest route in — a paid apprenticeship, community college, or employer-paid program (sometimes free); the high end is a private or for-profit school. The range is about which route you take, not extra certifications.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the Nurse Aide Registry Listing (CNA).
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
Certified Nursing Assistant
Entry$39,540Entry; 1.39M jobs nationally; hospital + long-term care + home health primary employers
Training: 4-12 week CNA program + state CNA certification + skills competency exam
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Year 2$62,340Major wage jump from CNA; significant scope expansion; LPN-to-RN bridges available year 3+
Training: 12-18 month LPN program + NCLEX-PN exam + state LPN licensure
Registered Nurse (ADN/ASN)
Year 5$86,070Major wage growth ($62K → $86K); ADN at community college accessible; specialties (ICU, ER, OR) open
Training: 12-24 month LPN-to-RN bridge + NCLEX-RN OR direct 24-month ADN program
Registered Nurse (BSN) — Specialty Track
Year 8$110,000Ceiling tier within RN path; required for Magnet hospital advancement; opens NP/CRNA pathways. THIS LADDER IS THE CORPUS'S DEFINING NARRATIVE: $40K → $62K → $86K → $110K within 8 years.
Training: 12-18 month RN-to-BSN bridge (online, employer-paid) + specialty cert (CCRN, CEN, OCN)
In your state
State licensure
Data limitations
- • BLS OEWS May 2025 per-occupation detail tables not yet pushed; May 2024 used
- • Per-state and per-MSA CNA wage tables not yet populated
- • Per-state CNA registry URL + training hour requirements not yet populated
- • Per-state CNA reciprocity policies not catalogued
- • Employer-paid program inventory by metro not catalogued
Common questions
How much does a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) make?
The median wage is $42,260 per year (BLS OEWS 2025). Most earn between $33,940 and $51,980. Actual pay varies by region, employer, and experience.
How long does it take to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
Typical training runs about 4 weeks. This is a non-degree path — no four-year college degree is required. Many people earn a paid wage during an apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.
Do you need a college degree to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
No. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a non-degree career path — you qualify through training, certification, and/or on-the-job experience rather than a four-year degree.
Is Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) eligible for Workforce Pell funding?
Structurally, yes — the typical program length fits the federal Workforce Pell hour cap. Whether you can actually use it depends on your state approving the specific program, so check the Workforce Pell tracker.
Do you need a license to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
Yes — all 50 states plus DC require a license to work independently. Requirements vary by state, so check your state board.
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