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Top 10 Best and Worst States to be a CNA
NursingLink / CareerVoyages.gov
There is a projected need for 393,000 CNAs needed in the United States by 2016. CNAs are one of the most in demand professions in America, but with so many job openings, it begs the question: Where should you work? NursingLink is committed to providing its members with the most most pertinent career research available. Below is the 10 best and worst places to be a CNA based on starting salary and job openings.
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Top 10 States With the Fewest New CNA Jobs
| State | Annual Number of Job Openings |
| 1. Montana | |
| 2. South Dakota | |
| 3. Maine | |
| 3. Maine | |
| 4. New Mexico | |
| 5. Delaware | |
| 6. Hawaii | |
| 7. North Dakota | |
| 8. Wyoming | |
| 9. Vermont | |
| 10. Alaksa |
kelly92
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
ewwww!! i work in new mexico and making only $8.60 an hour. the nursing home i work at is surely running down. we are being treated like dirt and are expected to do all the nurses job. ugh! so glad i put in my two weeks notice!
DHar001
over 2 years ago
4 comments
This article would be more helpful if you could compare all the listed criteria state by state. Is there a full reference with each state listed that has each category: Pay; & Available Jobs for CNA's
Account Removed
over 2 years ago
I live in small town in massachusetts, and I've worked as a cna for almost 2 years. Im now at the local hospital. I make 12.15 an hour and because I work nights I get a bonus of 2.25 plus an extra dollar for working weekends. So I actually make 14.40 on weekdays, and 15.40 on the weekends. I was thinking about relocating but after finding this site I think I'll stay put for now...
jmilks2004
over 2 years ago
2436 comments
I live in Florida in between Tampa and Orlando. The cost of living average for the state of Florida is 100. But for some unknown reason according to our local government website based on the same scale that is used in the state. Our local cost of living fluctuates from 175 to 251.8. Here are some examples of other Cities in the USA, * New York, NY -164.50, * Long Beach, CA -135.71, * Palo Alto, CA -234.42, * Boston, MA -127.60, * Malibu, CA -492.80, * San Francisco, -187.23, * Greenwich, CT 215
* Chicago, IL -126.45, * Dallas Tx -92,94, * Atlanta Ga -112.21, * Tampa 94.60, * Orlando metro-94.0.
2. New York $13.63 is the average for CNA's according to this article, and there cost of living for New York City is 164.50. The area were I live the base pay average is $9.78 per hour with our cost of living of 175 to 251.8. Could this explain why Florida is under a major population decrees as well as being one of the leaders in homes being foreclosed along with one of the nations highest unemployment rates.
npalmer
about 3 years ago
2 comments
I live in Michigan an I have been a CNA for 6 years. I work at the hospital making $13.66. And I work part time at a nursing home making $12.75.
TammySurran
over 3 years ago
26 comments
I thought I was doing alright here in Missouri...I currently make $8.39 an hour. Then I saw the list for the ten best...Alaska sure is beautiful!! I wish it wasn't so expensive to live there....
Account Removed
over 3 years ago
Hoorah! for Alaska. I think $14.36 it an excellent start, but don't forget that these states with the high paying jobs have a higher cost of living. So examine your options carefully.
Nursing_Assistant
over 3 years ago
2 comments
I live in Nevada and am getting paid $10.10/hr, but this is my first CNA job, so I guess I can't complain. I know that the company I work for does start you off at more per hour if you have experience.
hgray07
over 3 years ago
50 comments
I wouldn't work for less than 11 dollars an hour! There is one nursing home where I live they pay 7 dollars an hour YEAHHH NO!!!
racegaldonna
over 3 years ago
8 comments
i have to say that CNAs getting paid less than $11.00 an hour is an insult. no offense to nurses, but we do all the hard work, the caregiving and deal more with family members. I live in Arizona. when I got my license I started at 11.50 an hour. It does depend on what company you work for.
kd_aman
over 3 years ago
72 comments
WA state is pretty good too. I've heard of CNAs that get about 15 an hour. It depends too if you work at a hospital or nursing home - they tend to pay differently, and how long you've been working there. Oh but I guess this is tracking starting salary. As a nurse tech at a hospital I started at 15.75. I think someone was telling me they start at 13 as a CNA at the same hospital. At the nursing home I work at as a nurse tech, I get 18 an hour (was told I'd get 17 but they changed it by my first paycheck), and I heard CNAs get about 15 an hour.
Kimmie_T
over 3 years ago
66 comments
Actually, California should be at the top of the list before Alaska or the NYC. The pay for CNAs or Patient Care Assistant is in the high teens and beginning $20.00. Mainly because our cost of living is just as high as New York's and Boston. (which also was not on the list). Fact should be rechecked for accuracy next time.
JumanaMe
over 3 years ago
6 comments
How come Texas not in the list ! :(
Account Removed
over 3 years ago
Where in Missouri is they paying $9.40 an hour? I work as CNA in Missouri and only make $7.30 an hour.
agawan1
about 4 years ago
2 comments
It is a nice job.I am not yet able to get address of some institue online.Please help me in this context. Thanks