Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $24.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in San Diego, CA runs $24.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,716 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in San Diego, CA, can expect to earn an hourly median pay of $24.61, which is significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This favorable rate benefits various work arrangements, such as part-time positions typically requiring just three days a week, allowing CNAs to earn robust incomes while maintaining flexibility. For those considering per diem work, the opportunities in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital floors, and home health care further enhance earnings potential. The hourly pay range for CNAs in San Diego generally spans from $20.69 for those just entering the workforce to about $30.98 for experienced professionals, reflecting the demand and diverse roles available within the healthcare environment.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.69 | $165.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.36 |
| Median (P50) | $24.61 | $196.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.42 | $211.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.98 | $247.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $24.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.61/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,193 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,535. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $984.49 | $4,266 | $51,193 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $590.69 | $2,560 | $30,716 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.79 | $1,706 | $20,477 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (San Diego) | $24.61 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $51,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.75% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.70% above the California state average of $49,849.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.61/hr = $30,716/year (purchasing power: $27,453).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,193/year (purchasing power: $45,754).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in San Diego grew 34.2% from $17.22/hr (2019) to $23.11/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.21/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Focusing on part-time work, a certified nursing assistant in San Diego, working 24 hours across three days a week, would bring home an estimated annual income of around $38,624, compared to a full-time salary that could reach over $51,195. The dynamic in per diem and agency positions also plays a significant role, where these CNAs can see pay rates from $22 to $32 per hour, and specialized contracts for weekends may offer rates between $30 and $45. Different settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living facilities, tend to have varying compensation structures influenced by their operational demands. Additionally, while some CNAs might opt for positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher hourly rates without health coverage, reflecting personal priorities and financial strategies. Understanding these nuances can be essential when negotiating pay as a certified nursing assistant in San Diego, CA.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in San Diego?
Are certified nursing assistants in San Diego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in San Diego?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in San Diego?
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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 San Diego. 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