Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Washington: $53,711 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $53,711/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,010 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($52,500), Seattle ($51,990), Tacoma ($51,123).
In Washington, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $53,711, which is significantly higher than the national median of $45,007, representing a difference of 19.3%. The highest paying city, Bellevue, offers a salary of $55,913, while Tukwila sits at the lower end with $47,310, resulting in a salary gap of $8,603 between these cities. This variation can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, regional demand for healthcare services, and the availability of job opportunities. Washington's certification process imposes specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role of certified nursing assistants. The state has a strong demand for healthcare professionals, driven by an aging population and an expanding healthcare sector. With a projected growth rate of 6.50%, job opportunities for certified nursing assistants are expected to increase, making it a stable employment choice. The top cities for salaries in 2026 illustrate the market's dynamics, with Seattle at $55,369, Tacoma at $54,446, Vancouver at $53,968, and Renton at $52,520. Collectively, these trends point to a healthy job market for certified nursing assistants in Washington, reflecting demand and competitive salaries.
Washington Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $38,615 (lowest entry-level) to $72,790 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington certified nursing assistants earn 19.34% more than the national median (+$8,704/year difference).
Washington Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Washington range from $46,619 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $67,640 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,711. The Washington median is $8,704 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $25.83/hr. Approximately 26,564 certified nursing assistants are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,557
2025 BLS Actual
$50,433
2026 Current Est.
$53,711
2019–2027 Growth
+70.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,138 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,711 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 50.3% from $33,557 (2019) to $50,433 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,645 (70.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $47,310 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $47,384 |
| Covington | $48,050 |
| Kenmore | $48,053 |
| Oak Harbor | $48,365 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima | $50,140 | 95.545 | $52,478 |
| Longview | $50,939 | 97.545 | $52,221 |
| Bellevue | $55,913 | 107.4 | $52,061 |
| Walla Walla | $51,109 | 98.519 | $51,877 |
| Kennewick | $51,184 | 100.079 | $51,144 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,619 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,711 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $67,640 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $55,913 |
| 2 | Seattle | $55,369 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $54,446 |
| 4 | Vancouver | $53,968 |
| 5 | Renton | $52,520 |
| 6 | Bremerton | $52,355 |
| 7 | Richland | $52,251 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon | $52,206 |
| 9 | Everett | $52,012 |
| 10 | Wenatchee | $51,674 |
| 11 | Tumwater | $51,653 |
| 12 | Marysville | $51,623 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $51,339 |
| 14 | Spokane Valley | $51,279 |
| 15 | Kennewick | $51,184 |
| 16 | Olympia | $51,184 |
| 17 | Bellingham | $51,163 |
| 18 | Redmond | $51,136 |
| 19 | Walla Walla | $51,109 |
| 20 | Kent | $51,094 |
| 21 | Kirkland | $51,010 |
| 22 | Burien | $50,945 |
| 23 | Longview | $50,939 |
| 24 | Lacey | $50,764 |
| 25 | Federal Way | $50,722 |
| 26 | Des Moines | $50,711 |
| 27 | Auburn | $50,593 |
| 28 | Lakewood | $50,573 |
| 29 | Issaquah | $50,544 |
| 30 | Spokane | $50,311 |
| 31 | Sammamish | $50,212 |
| 32 | University Place | $50,195 |
| 33 | SeaTac | $50,155 |
| 34 | Yakima | $50,140 |
| 35 | Pasco | $49,940 |
| 36 | Edmonds | $49,634 |
| 37 | Lake Stevens | $49,503 |
| 38 | Lynnwood | $49,471 |
| 39 | Moses Lake | $49,377 |
| 40 | Bothell | $49,340 |
| 41 | Pullman | $49,122 |
| 42 | Puyallup | $49,011 |
| 43 | Ellensburg | $48,827 |
| 44 | Maple Valley | $48,693 |
| 45 | Camas | $48,570 |
| 46 | Oak Harbor | $48,365 |
| 47 | Kenmore | $48,053 |
| 48 | Covington | $48,050 |
| 49 | Mountlake Terrace | $47,384 |
| 50 | Tukwila | $47,310 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Washington?
How does Washington certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Washington?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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