You might think entering the healthcare field requires years of schooling, substantial student debt, and little to no income at the beginning of your career — but there is another way.
Certified Nursing Assistants (or CNAs) spend just six to 12 weeks studying before starting full-time healthcare careers, earning $32,050 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
CNAs are a vital part of any healthcare team. Working under the direct supervision of a nurse, a CNA assists in tasks like:
Meeting patients' basic needs
Gathering medical supplies
Checking vital signs
Documenting information
Treating wounds
Assisting with some medical procedures
While exact duties vary by setting, a CNA's primary responsibility always remains the same: To ensure patients are safe and well-cared for throughout their treatment.
How Much Does a CNA Make in the United States?
As of May 2020, the median CNA salary was more than $30,000 or $14.82 per hour. This is below the median wage across all professions, which, according to the BLS, is about $42,000.
Individuals who pursue this career path often do so because they genuinely want to make a difference in others' lives. The work may be hard and, as is often the case with healthcare jobs, underappreciated, but it can be the difference between an awful and isolating hospital stay or a pleasant one.
[category-tab-list title="Salary Changes Throughout the Career Path" description="Earnings can look vastly different at various points in a CNA's career, based on the education it takes to get to a certain level and the experience one has at that level. Using PayScale, we've broken down nursing assistant salary changes below:
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According to PayScale, the average entry-level CNA salary in the United States is $13.39, or $27,851 per year (based on a 40 hour work week and 52 weeks of work per year). The bottom 10% of CNAs earn about $10 per hour, while the top 10% earn upwards of $17 per hour.
It's important to remember that almost all CNAs work on an hourly basis, so there are usually opportunities to pick up more hours by covering shifts for coworkers on vacation or sick leave.
An advanced CNA pursues specialized training on top of their GED and basic certification, enabling them to perform more complex patient care skills like phlebotomies, bladder scans, EKGs, catheter removals, etc. As a result, the advanced certified nursing assistant salary is higher — at $35,125 per year, on average.
Nursing assistant instructors or CNA instructors earn significantly more than their counterparts at $26 per hour or $53,816 per year. The major jump in pay accounts for the higher level of education required for the job. To be a CNA instructor, you need an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, an RN certification or license, and experience working on the floor.
Licensed Practical Nurse
LPNs provide basic medical and personal care to patients, completing tasks like inserting catheters and helping them bathe. LPNs report to doctors and RNs and must complete a one-year accredited practical nursing program and pass a licensure exam.
Registered Nurse
RNs coordinate patient care, from administering medications and treatment to running tests and instructing patients on managing illnesses and injuries. To work as an RN, you need a bachelor's degree in nursing or a two to three-year associate degree and a state license.
