Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Chula Vista, CA: $24.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Chula Vista, CA runs $24.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,254 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Chula Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,756 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chula Vista, certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $24.64 in 2026, positioning it significantly above the national median of $21.64. This hourly rate offers substantial earning potential for those working part-time or as per-diem staff, especially in local healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. For individual CNAs, the estimated hourly range is notable, stretching from $17.95 at the entry level to $30.93 for the most experienced professionals. With a cost of living index of 113.1 in Chula Vista, the strength of these wages can also impact financial comfort and lifestyle choices, making the hourly figures an essential consideration for anyone contemplating this career path.
About the Chula Vista Market
Salary estimated from California average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.95 | $143.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.84 | $174.75 |
| Median (P50) | $24.64 | $197.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.81 | $222.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.93 | $247.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chula Vista
Based on $24.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.64/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chula Vista, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,260 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,573. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chula Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chula Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $985.76 | $4,272 | $51,260 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.46 | $2,563 | $30,756 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.31 | $1,709 | $20,504 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Chula Vista) | $24.64 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Chula Vista, CA earn a median of $51,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.88% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.80% above the California state average of $49,858.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.64/hr = $30,756/year (purchasing power: $27,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,260/year (purchasing power: $45,322).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Chula Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Chula Vista grew 42.5% from $16.24/hr (2019) to $23.14/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chula Vista metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Chula Vista
For part-time certified nursing assistants working a typical schedule of three days per week, the annual take-home pay can vary significantly compared to full-time employees. Such workers could realistically earn about $30,653 annually, which is a considerable amount when supplemented by potential overtime and weekend premium shifts that may push wages even higher. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Chula Vista typically ranges from $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend or specialized contracts often exceeding $30 and sometimes reaching upwards of $45 per hour in high-demand markets. The variable nature of hourly rates often reflects the type of employer as well; while skilled nursing facilities may offer stability with lower rates, hospitals and specialized care units might pay more to attract talent. Certified nursing assistants should also weigh the trade-offs of hourly pay against benefits like health insurance when evaluating job offers, as some may opt for lower pay to secure better benefits. Practical negotiation strategies focused on articulating qualifications and the increasing need for CNAs can provide leverage when seeking favorable hourly rates in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Chula Vista, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Chula Vista. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chula Vista is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov