Pay and careers
Best States for CNA Pay, Adjusted for Cost of Living
The highest raw wages aren’t always the best deal. Here is CNA pay in every state, adjusted for what things cost there.
By the CaregiverCert team · Updated October 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Nursing assistants earned a median of $20.32 an hour nationally in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But $20 an hour goes a lot further in North Dakota than in California. This guide ranks every state by CNA pay after adjusting for local prices, using official federal data.
Highest-paying states before adjusting
On raw pay alone, the top states are Oregon ($23.96 an hour), Washington ($23.65), New York ($23.36), New Hampshire ($23.02), and Washington, DC ($22.93). The lowest are Louisiana ($14.67) and Mississippi ($15.15).
Best states after cost of living
To compare fairly, we divided each state’s median CNA wage by its Regional Price Parity, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis measure of how expensive a state is compared with the national average (100 = average). The result shows what the wage is worth in average U.S. prices.
By that measure, the best states for CNAs are North Dakota ($24.76 an hour adjusted), Maine ($23.32), Oregon ($23.18), Vermont ($23.13), and Wisconsin ($23.06). North Dakota stands out: its CNA pay is above the national median, and prices there are about 11 percent below average.
At the bottom are Louisiana ($16.63), Mississippi ($17.42), and Florida ($17.43). Florida drops near the bottom because its pay is below average while its prices are above average.
All states, ranked
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Price level (U.S. = 100) | Pay adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $22.03 | $45,820 | 89.0 | $24.76 |
| 2 | Maine | $22.63 | $47,070 | 97.0 | $23.32 |
| 3 | Oregon | $23.96 | $49,830 | 103.4 | $23.18 |
| 4 | Vermont | $22.66 | $47,130 | 98.0 | $23.13 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $21.70 | $45,130 | 94.1 | $23.06 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $22.44 | $46,680 | 98.6 | $22.75 |
| 7 | Colorado | $22.78 | $47,380 | 103.1 | $22.11 |
| 8 | Illinois | $22.10 | $45,960 | 100.0 | $22.11 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $23.02 | $47,870 | 104.2 | $22.10 |
| 10 | Washington | $23.65 | $49,180 | 107.0 | $22.10 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $21.44 | $44,590 | 97.6 | $21.97 |
| 12 | Nevada | $21.87 | $45,490 | 100.0 | $21.87 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $22.33 | $46,440 | 102.3 | $21.83 |
| 14 | Alaska | $22.29 | $46,370 | 102.4 | $21.78 |
| 15 | New York | $23.36 | $48,590 | 107.9 | $21.65 |
| 16 | Iowa | $18.92 | $39,350 | 87.8 | $21.56 |
| 17 | Arizona | $21.53 | $44,780 | 100.7 | $21.39 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $19.23 | $40,000 | 90.1 | $21.34 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $22.44 | $46,680 | 105.8 | $21.22 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $18.65 | $38,800 | 88.6 | $21.05 |
| 21 | Washington, DC | $22.93 | $47,700 | 109.9 | $20.86 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $21.53 | $44,790 | 103.6 | $20.78 |
| 23 | Montana | $19.67 | $40,900 | 94.6 | $20.78 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $22.52 | $46,830 | 108.8 | $20.70 |
| 25 | California | $22.90 | $47,630 | 110.7 | $20.68 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $18.94 | $39,390 | 92.2 | $20.54 |
| 27 | Virginia | $20.77 | $43,200 | 101.1 | $20.54 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $18.45 | $38,370 | 90.2 | $20.46 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $18.83 | $39,160 | 92.7 | $20.31 |
| 30 | Kansas | $18.27 | $38,010 | 90.1 | $20.28 |
| 31 | Delaware | $20.21 | $42,030 | 99.8 | $20.25 |
| 32 | Ohio | $18.76 | $39,010 | 92.8 | $20.22 |
| 33 | Missouri | $18.11 | $37,680 | 90.8 | $19.94 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $18.27 | $37,990 | 91.9 | $19.89 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $21.80 | $45,350 | 110.0 | $19.83 |
| 36 | Maryland | $20.79 | $43,240 | 105.0 | $19.81 |
| 37 | Michigan | $19.03 | $39,570 | 96.2 | $19.78 |
| 38 | Indiana | $18.43 | $38,330 | 93.3 | $19.75 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $17.66 | $36,720 | 89.5 | $19.73 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $17.27 | $35,930 | 87.8 | $19.66 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $18.49 | $38,460 | 94.3 | $19.60 |
| 42 | Idaho | $18.58 | $38,650 | 95.5 | $19.46 |
| 43 | Utah | $19.15 | $39,840 | 98.9 | $19.37 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $17.90 | $37,220 | 93.7 | $19.09 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $16.55 | $34,430 | 86.9 | $19.04 |
| 46 | Georgia | $18.12 | $37,680 | 96.3 | $18.82 |
| 47 | Texas | $18.03 | $37,500 | 97.1 | $18.58 |
| 48 | Alabama | $16.41 | $34,140 | 88.8 | $18.47 |
| 49 | Florida | $18.03 | $37,510 | 103.4 | $17.43 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $15.15 | $31,520 | 87.0 | $17.42 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $14.67 | $30,510 | 88.2 | $16.63 |
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, nursing assistants (31-1131). Price level: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024. Adjusted pay = median hourly wage divided by price level. State medians cover the whole state; pay in big cities is often higher.
Things the numbers don't show
- City vs rural pay. Pay inside a state can vary a lot. Metro areas often pay more but cost more too.
- Where you work. Hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies pay differently, and many employers add shift differentials for nights and weekends.
- Moving costs and certification. Moving means transferring your CNA, which is free in many states. See how to transfer your CNA.
- State rules. Some higher-paying states have stricter renewal rules, like Vermont’s 400 work hours. See CNA renewal requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays CNAs the most?
On raw median pay, Oregon at $23.96 an hour (May 2025). After adjusting for cost of living, North Dakota comes out on top at $24.76.
What is the average CNA salary in the U.S.?
The national median for nursing assistants was $20.32 an hour in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is about $42,000 a year for full-time work.
Which state pays CNAs the least?
Louisiana, at a median of $14.67 an hour in May 2025.
Is it worth moving to another state for CNA pay?
It can be, but compare adjusted pay, not just the hourly rate, and factor in moving and certification transfer costs.