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Nursing Assistant Salary | How Much Money Does a Nursing Attendant Make?

Nursing assistants, also sometimes called nursing attendants, nursing aides, or orderlies, provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. LPN and RNs usually say that nursing assistants are their “eyes and ears.”

Nursing assistants perform duties such as feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, or moving patients. They also change linens and clean up patients in the event of an accident. Although nursing attendants may be considered an entry level position within the healthcare world, they serve a very important function.

Nursing Assistant Education Requirements

An entry-level nursing assistant may only need a high school diploma or GED. CPR certification is also a requirement that some employers may state. However, nursing assistants can also become certified by taking a state-approved education program. Upon completion of this training, the nursing assistant must pass their state’s competency exam to become certified.

Educational requirements to become certified typically take 3-4 months. You can usually complete these programs through a community college, technical school, or a hospital may organize a CNA training session.

Nursing Assistant Salary, Wage, and Income

In 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for a nursing assistant in the U.S. was $12.62. The average salary for a nursing assistant was $25,160.

Keep in mind that these are only averages. An entry-level nursing assistant may make less until they gain more experience. Other factors that can affect income include the state and industry in which the nursing assistant works. Here is a video overview of salary information:

Industries with the Highest and Lowest Levels of Employment

The industries with the highest level of employment for a nursing aide were as follows:

  • Nursing care facilities ($25,160 average salary)
  • General medical and surgical hospitals ($28,430 average salary)

The Top Paying Industries for Nursing Aides

The industries that paid the most money to nursing attendants were as follows:

  • Federal Executive Branch ($36,380 average salary)
  • Lessors of Real Estate ($31,670 average salary)

Top and Lowest Paying States

Here are the top two and lowest two paying states for nursing aides:

  • Top two paying states: Alaska ($37,180) and Nevada ($33,000)
  • Two lowest paying states: Louisiana ($20,600) and Arkansas ($21,400)

Nursing Assistant Salary and Hourly Wage by State

Alabama Nursing Assistant Salary 10.58 22000
Alaska Nursing Assistant Salary 17.87 37180
Arizona Nursing Assistant Salary 13.53 28150
Arkansas Nursing Assistant Salary 10.29 21400
California Nursing Assistant Salary 14.43 30020
Colorado Nursing Assistant Salary 13.76 28610
Connecticut Nursing Assistant Salary 15.36 31940
Delaware Nursing Assistant Salary 13.44 27950
District of Columbia Nursing Assistant Salary 14.87 30940
Florida Nursing Assistant Salary 11.59 24110
Georgia Nursing Assistant Salary 10.72 22290
Guam Nursing Assistant Salary 11.74 24410
Hawaii Nursing Assistant Salary 14.66 30480
Idaho Nursing Assistant Salary 10.98 22830
Illinois Nursing Assistant Salary 12.14 25260
Indiana Nursing Assistant Salary 11.40 23710
Iowa Nursing Assistant Salary 12.15 25270
Kansas Nursing Assistant Salary 11.20 23300
Kentucky Nursing Assistant Salary 11.36 23620
Louisiana Nursing Assistant Salary 9.90 20600
Maine Nursing Assistant Salary 11.89 24720
Maryland Nursing Assistant Salary 13.82 28740
Massachusetts Nursing Assistant Salary 14.50 30160
Michigan Nursing Assistant Salary 13.27 27610
Minnesota Nursing Assistant Salary 13.36 27800
Mississippi Nursing Assistant Salary 10.02 20840
Missouri Nursing Assistant Salary 11.11 23100
Montana Nursing Assistant Salary 11.97 24900
Nebraska Nursing Assistant Salary 11.90 24750
Nevada Nursing Assistant Salary 15.86 33000
New Hampshire Nursing Assistant Salary 14.03 29170
New Jersey Nursing Assistant Salary 13.56 28190
New Mexico Nursing Assistant Salary 12.88 26790
New York Nursing Assistant Salary 15.61 32470
North Carolina Nursing Assistant Salary 10.89 22650
North Dakota Nursing Assistant Salary 13.88 28860
Ohio Nursing Assistant Salary 11.89 24730
Oklahoma Nursing Assistant Salary 10.64 22140
Oregon Nursing Assistant Salary 13.80 28710
Pennsylvania Nursing Assistant Salary 13.52 28110
Puerto Rico Nursing Assistant Salary 9.64 20060
Rhode Island Nursing Assistant Salary 13.65 28390
South Carolina Nursing Assistant Salary 11.13 23140
South Dakota Nursing Assistant Salary 11.12 23130
Tennessee Nursing Assistant Salary 10.98 22830
Texas Nursing Assistant Salary 11.52 23960
Utah Nursing Assistant Salary 11.42 23760
Vermont Nursing Assistant Salary 12.84 26700
Virgin Islands Nursing Assistant Salary 11.16 23220
Virginia Nursing Assistant Salary 11.62 24160
Washington Nursing Assistant Salary 14.06 29250
West Virginia Nursing Assistant Salary 11.10 23080
Wisconsin Nursing Assistant Salary 12.91 26850
Wyoming Nursing Assistant Salary 13.41 27900

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Nursing Assistants, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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