How much does a nursing assistant make in California?
$47,630a year
Median yearly pay for nursing assistants in California. That is $22.90 an hour or $3,969 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.90
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 110,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,110Median: $47,630Highest 10%: $61,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,110 | $19.28 | |
| 25th | $45,850 | $22.04 | |
| Median | $47,630 | $22.90 | |
| 75th | $54,800 | $26.35 | |
| 90th | $61,100 | $29.38 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $56,840 |
| San Francisco, CA | $56,080 |
| Napa, CA | $50,370 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $49,240 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,870 |
| San Diego, CA | $48,070 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $47,940 |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,510 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,380 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $47,130 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $46,840 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,810 |
| Oxnard, CA | $46,800 |
| Modesto, CA | $46,550 |
| Stockton, CA | $46,530 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,430 |
| Chico, CA | $46,380 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $46,130 |
| Yuba City, CA | $46,130 |
| Hanford, CA | $45,980 |
| Redding, CA | $44,880 |
| Merced, CA | $44,730 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,710 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,670 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for nursing assistants.
| 3. New York | $48,590 |
| 4. New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| 5. District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| 6. California | $47,630 |
| 7. Colorado | $47,380 |
| 8. Vermont | $47,130 |
| 9. Maine | $47,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $22.90 ($47,630 a year).
Do nursing assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $47,630 against $42,260 nationally, 13% more.
Where does California rank for nursing assistant pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays nursing assistants the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $56,840 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.