How Much Does A CNA Make?

How much does a CNA make? Certified nursing assistants (CNA, nurses aide) are found in nursing care facilities, home health care companies, hospitals, and mental health settings. CNAs provide care for elderly and debilitated patients. CNAs are responsible for preparing patients for their day, helping patients with their activities of daily living, including grooming, bathing, dressing, feeding, moving wheelchair or bedbound patients with appropriate equipment, changing patient bed linens, and assisting patients with walking or transporting by wheelchair as needed. CNAs are often reponsible to check and report on a patient’s respiration rate, pulse rate, temperature, or blood pressure. CNAs perform routine tasks for patients with supervision given by nursing and medical staff.

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CNAs are typically the principal caregivers for patients due to the amount of contact they have with the patient compared to other staff members. CNAs at home health or skilled nursing facilities who make a career of this type of work often form long term bonds with patients who live in these types of long term care homes.

CNA work can be physically demanding, with hours of standing, walking and lifting required. Nursing facilities are known to have difficulty keeping CNAs staffed long term due to low wages and exhausting work days.

The majority of job opportunities for CNAs are in nursing and residential care facilities and in hospitals. The low entry level requirement of high school diploma and modest amount of in-house training makes this an easy entryway into the medical industry.

Job advancement within nursing aide occupations are limited for this entry level position. CNAs must choose additional education along with formal training to advance to other health occupations. Jobs CNAs most commonly advance to with additional education and training are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and medical assistant.

Future job opportunities for CNAs will grow faster than the average, with excellent job opportunities available. The projected employment of nursing and psychiatric aides is expected to grow 18 percent between 2008 and 2018.

CNA positions are characterized by low pay, modest entry level requirements, high emotional and physical demands, along with limited advancement opportunities.

How much does a CNA make per hour?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report in May 2009, CNAs median hourly wage is $12.01 an hour.

Industry And Hourly Wage

Nursing Care Facilities $11.58

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $12.76

Community Care Facilities for the Elderly $11.21

Home Health Care Services $11.09

Local Government (OES Designation) $13.05

How much does a CNA make per year?

The May 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows CNAs median salary is $24,980 a year.

Industry And Annual Salary

Nursing Care Facilities $24,080

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $26,540

Community Care Facilities for the Elderly $23,320

Home Health Care Services $23,070

Local Government (OES Designation) $27,140

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