SOC 311131

Nursing Assistants

Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. Excludes "Home Health Aides" (31-1121), "Personal Care Aides" (31-1122), "Orderlies" (31-1132), and "Psychiatric Aides" (31-1133).

National Median

$39,530

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$39,530

Entry Level (10th pct)

$31,390

Experienced (90th pct)

$50,140

Total Employed

1,388,430

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$31,390 - $36,260
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,260 - $46,070
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$46,070 - $50,140

Highest Paying Locations for Nursing Assistants

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$56,220

+42.2% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$53,990

+36.6% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$50,690

+28.2% vs national

Boulder, CO

$49,390

+24.9% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$48,520

+22.7% vs national

Nursing Assistants Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$56,220	4,910
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$53,990	10,750
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$50,690	14,910
Boulder, CO	$49,390	1,010
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$48,520	7,600
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$48,510	620
Oregon	$48,390	12,800
Grants Pass, OR	$48,300	380
Salem, OR	$48,280	1,330
Washington	$48,260	28,080
Napa, CA	$48,070	380
Bellingham, WA	$47,860	720
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$47,810	77,360
Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$47,690	590
Vallejo, CA	$47,590	870
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$47,580	1,290
Bend, OR	$47,560	490
Salinas, CA	$47,500	970
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$47,470	290
Lewiston-Auburn, ME	$47,450	690
Portland-South Portland, ME	$47,430	3,320
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$47,420	900
New York	$47,390	85,310
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$47,390	1,130
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$47,220	510
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$47,140	450
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$47,130	860
Albany, OR	$47,070	390
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$47,000	9,680
Rochester, MN	$46,910	1,470
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$46,910	13,830
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$46,900	900
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$46,900	1,290
District of Columbia	$46,860	2,550
Walla Walla, WA	$46,850	290
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$46,730	350
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$46,640	1,010
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$46,600	9,790
Bangor, ME	$46,600	1,130
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$46,560	4,030
Carson City, NV	$46,560	300
Medford, OR	$46,520	840
Reno, NV	$46,500	1,240
California	$46,420	102,380
Yakima, WA	$46,330	1,130
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$46,260	5,410
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$46,260	340
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$46,190	1,140
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$46,180	2,680
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$46,160	480

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Nursing Assistants?

The national median annual salary for Nursing Assistants is $39,530, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Nursing Assistantss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Nursing Assistantss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $56,220.

How much can an experienced Nursing Assistants make?

Top-earning Nursing Assistantss (90th percentile) make $50,140 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.