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Best States for Nursing Assistants: Highest-paid Nursing Assistants by State

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Nursing assistants provide direct patient care, assisting with activities of daily living and supporting the nursing team in healthcare settings.

This article will explore the best states for nursing assistants, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid nursing assistants are in Alaska, where they earn an average of $44,420 per year.
  • The lowest-paid nursing assistants are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $23,700 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for nursing assistants is $35,812 per year.

1. Alaska ($44,420)

Alaska Nursing Assistants in Alaska earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Alaska is $44,420, which is +24% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$44,420
10th Percentile$37,000
25th Percentile$38,070
75th Percentile$49,010
90th Percentile$54,290

2. District of Columbia ($43,820)

District of Columbia Nursing Assistants in District of Columbia earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in District of Columbia is $43,820, which is +22% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$43,820
10th Percentile$36,010
25th Percentile$38,230
75th Percentile$48,060
90th Percentile$51,780

3. California ($43,570)

California Nursing Assistants in California earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in California is $43,570, which is +22% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$43,570
10th Percentile$36,070
25th Percentile$37,550
75th Percentile$46,250
90th Percentile$56,910

4. New York ($43,450)

New York Nursing Assistants in New York earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in New York is $43,450, which is +21% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$43,450
10th Percentile$32,020
25th Percentile$37,340
75th Percentile$49,250
90th Percentile$52,210

5. Oregon ($42,960)

Oregon Nursing Assistants in Oregon earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Oregon is $42,960, which is +20% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$42,960
10th Percentile$34,840
25th Percentile$37,920
75th Percentile$47,720
90th Percentile$51,190

6. Minnesota ($42,480)

Minnesota Nursing Assistants in Minnesota earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Minnesota is $42,480, which is +19% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$42,480
10th Percentile$32,400
25th Percentile$36,250
75th Percentile$44,660
90th Percentile$49,480

7. Washington ($42,430)

Washington Nursing Assistants in Washington earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Washington is $42,430, which is +18% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$42,430
10th Percentile$35,620
25th Percentile$37,720
75th Percentile$46,030
90th Percentile$50,170

8. Massachusetts ($41,390)

Massachusetts Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Massachusetts is $41,390, which is +16% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$41,390
10th Percentile$35,140
25th Percentile$37,320
75th Percentile$44,220
90th Percentile$48,800

9. Nevada ($41,110)

Nevada Nursing Assistants in Nevada earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Nevada is $41,110, which is +15% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$41,110
10th Percentile$30,730
25th Percentile$34,510
75th Percentile$45,130
90th Percentile$56,620

10. Hawaii ($39,870)

Hawaii Nursing Assistants in Hawaii earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for nursing assistants in Hawaii is $39,870, which is +11% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$39,870
10th Percentile$29,360
25th Percentile$33,940
75th Percentile$46,110
90th Percentile$51,320

Conclusion

The highest-paid nursing assistants are in Alaska, where they earn an average of $44,420 per year. The lowest-paid nursing assistants are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $23,700 per year. The U.S. average salary for nursing assistants is $35,812 per year and there are 1,311,220 jobs in the field.