Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $23.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Riverside, CA runs $23.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,448 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,666 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Riverside, California is projected to be $23.77, a figure that exceeds the national median of $21.64. This competitive hourly rate is vital for part-time CNAs working three days a week, as they can earn a substantial income while balancing other commitments. With Riverside's hourly range spanning from $19.95 for entry-level positions to $28.60 for more experienced staff, individuals can find opportunities in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living communities. This data, sourced from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, reflects the shifting dynamics of the healthcare workforce, especially following the staffing shortages experienced during the post-COVID period.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.95 | $159.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.66 | $181.31 |
| Median (P50) | $23.77 | $190.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.97 | $199.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.60 | $228.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $23.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.77/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $49,443 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,525. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $950.83 | $4,120 | $49,443 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $570.50 | $2,472 | $29,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.33 | $1,648 | $19,777 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Riverside) | $23.77 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $49,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.87% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% below the California state average of $49,847.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.77/hr = $29,666/year (purchasing power: $27,871).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,443/year (purchasing power: $46,451).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Riverside grew 36.8% from $16.31/hr (2019) to $22.32/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.32/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
When considering part-time earnings, a certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $29,593 annually. In contrast, those in per-diem roles often earn between $22 and $32 per hour, with weekend contracts potentially exceeding $30 to $45 in regions with high demand. Employers in Riverside, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, may offer varied compensation based on the setting. Some CNAs might weigh the benefits of lower-paying positions that come with health insurance against higher-paying jobs without such benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding local market conditions and expressing the flexibility and value that comes with per diem work can be advantageous. The projected growth rate of 6.50% indicates that demand for certified nursing assistants will likely remain strong in the coming years, paving the way for future career advancements.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 Riverside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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