Nurse Assistants Career & Salary Overview
The following article discusses the critical role Nursing Assistants play in the community including qualifications, education, job outlook, and salary.
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The following article discusses the critical role Nursing Assistants play in the community including what they do, tasks performed, work environment, qualifications to become, area of focus, training & certification, education requirements, job outlook, salary, related job titles and salary by state data.
What We Do
Nursing assistants work with nurses and other medical practitioners to help with patient care, cleanup, preparation, and other tasks around the hospital or medical facility that requires an extra pair of hands. They might take extracted specimens to the laboratory for testing, clean and remake bedding, and perform other helpful jobs. Nursing assistants are very similar to medical assistants and are also called nursing aides. CNAs may choose to work in purely administrative positions, and act almost as a medical secretary for nursing staff. This clerical work is performed under the instruction of supervision of the nursing manager so that scheduling is performed and patient data are correctly added to the system.Top 5 Tasks Performed
Preparing instruments and equipment, stripping and remaking hospital beds, delivering patients nutritional supplements as directed by nurses or physicians, following nurse directions on treatment and care, assisting with paper work and filing.Work Environment
Nursing assistants work in hospitals and private practices doing clerical work and helping with treatments and monitoring patients. They also work in continuing care homes, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, and are assistants within educational settings. This role can involve some stress depending on where a CNA works and what duties are taken on. As a nursing assistant the case load and hours are not nearly as hectic or irregular as those taken on by registered or practical nurses.How to Become
Nursing assistants are required to take a post-secondary training program, but don’t need a degree the way that an LPN or RN does. Nursing assistants may complete a training program or diploma program through a state-accredited institution and must follow up by passing a certification examination that allows them to work within the medical career path.Job Outlook
Nursing assistants have the same occupational outlook as orderlies at 21% predicted job growth over the next decade. This is higher than the expected growth for many other careers across the country. There is a high demand for these positions due to the nursing shortage across the United States, and the slowly increasing popularity of these roles. Most nursing assistants will make a median salary of $24,400 per year or $11.73 per hour, although based on training and experience there may be room for advancement.Training & Certification
Experience within the assistant nursing field, and certification through a competency examination that gives the title of CAN or certified nursing assistant.Min Education Requirements
Some CollegeSample of Reported Job Titles
Certified Nursing Assistant, Nurse’s Aide, Health Center Assistant, Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, State Testing Nursing AssistantBelow are the salaries for Nursing Assistants, as quoted by the top job websites:$32,000 | $25,743 | $40,000 |
All brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. All salary source data is public & accurate as of 2014-07-07.
Average Salaries Across The Country
Alaska – $24,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Banner Health, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, State of Alaska, and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. | |||||||||||
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Alabama – $33,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like American Family Care, Fresenius Medical Care, USAREC-2nd Brigade, and Baptist Healthcare of Alabama. | |||||||||||
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Arkansas – $33,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 1% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis Rehabilitation Services, HealthSouth Corporation, Aegis Therapies, and United States Army. | |||||||||||
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Arizona – $27,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Banner Health, ResCare, Fresenius Medical Care, and Brookdale. | |||||||||||
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California – $35,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maxim Healthcare Services, United States Army, BrightStar Care, and Fresenius Medical Care. | |||||||||||
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Colorado – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centura Health, Brookdale, Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente. | |||||||||||
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Connecticut – $37,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Health Care Associates, Inc., Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Health at Home, and Genesis HealthCare. | |||||||||||
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DC – $40,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Virginia Hospital Center, HCR ManorCare, Adventist HealthCare, and Genesis HealthCare. | |||||||||||
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Delaware – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ardor Health, Genesis HealthCare, Beebe Healthcare, and HCR ManorCare. | |||||||||||
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Florida – $30,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Florida Medical Center, Shands Healthcare, BrightStar Care, and Maxim Healthcare Services. | |||||||||||
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Georgia – $37,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ResCare, Northside Hospital, New Beginnings Care, and Fresenius Medical Care. | |||||||||||
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Hawaii – $20,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 52nd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 52nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mountain Land Rehabilitation, State of Hawaii, Fresenius Medical Care, and Castle Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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Iowa – $32,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Iowa are 3% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, Genesis Health System, Mercy Medical Center, and Ardor Health. | |||||||||||
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Idaho – $22,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Idaho are 33% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consulate Health Care, Fresenius Medical Care, ResCare, and Medical Staffing Network. | |||||||||||
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Illinois – $37,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RehabCare Group, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, HCR ManorCare, and Ardor Health. | |||||||||||
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Indiana – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Golden Living, Extendicare Health Services, Inc., CHS, and Genesis Rehabilitation Services. | |||||||||||
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Kansas – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis Rehabilitation Services, ResCare, Olathe Health System, and Stormont-Vail HealthCare. | |||||||||||
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Kentucky – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Signature HealthCARE – Care Redefined, Baptist Healthcare System, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, and Genesis HealthCare. | |||||||||||
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Louisiana – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 12% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Woldenberg Village, Skyland Health Partners, CHRISTUS Continuing Care, and North Oaks Health System. | |||||||||||
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Massachusetts – $39,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cape Cod Healthcare, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Caretenders Home Health, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. | |||||||||||
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Maryland – $33,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis HealthCare, UMMC, MAS Medical Staffing, and Peninsula Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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Maine – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Preferred Therapy Solutions, Lincoln County Healthcare, Reflectx Staffing, and trustaff. | |||||||||||
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Michigan – $33,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Extendicare Health Services, Inc., St John Health, and HCR ManorCare. | |||||||||||
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Minnesota – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic, Ecumen, and The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. | |||||||||||
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Missouri – $32,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy, Lutheran Senior Services, John Knox Village, and RehabCare Group. | |||||||||||
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Mississippi – $34,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 4% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MAS Medical Staffing, Unlisted Company, Vanguard Healthcare Services, and Hospice Advantage. | |||||||||||
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Montana – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Montana are 12% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Holy Rosary Healthcare, Department of Veterans Affairs, Genesis HealthCare, and St. Peter's Hospital. | |||||||||||
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North Carolina – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like trustaff, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Consulate Health Care, and Duke University and Duke University Health System. | |||||||||||
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North Dakota – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Altru Health System, Essentia Health, North Dakota State Government, and Trinity Hospitals. | |||||||||||
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Nebraska – $24,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Army, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Fresenius Medical Care, and Unlisted Company. | |||||||||||
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New Hampshire – $32,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis HealthCare, ReadyNurse Staffing Services, CoreMedical Group, and New London Hospital. | |||||||||||
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New Jersey – $35,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CareOne, trustaff, Ardor Health, and Genesis HealthCare. | |||||||||||
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New Mexico – $28,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Skilled Healthcare,LLC, Med Travelers, University of New Mexico, and Spectrum Healthcare Resources. | |||||||||||
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Nevada – $25,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Nevada are 23% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, United States Army, trustaff, and Genesis Rehabilitation Services. | |||||||||||
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New York – $39,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in New York are 21% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, Medical Staffing Network, Montefiore Medical Center, and trustaff. | |||||||||||
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Ohio – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Partners, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Extendicare Health Services, Inc., and Trilogy Health Services. | |||||||||||
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Oklahoma – $30,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy, Integris Health, Fresenius Medical Care, and University of Oklahoma. | |||||||||||
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Oregon – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Oregon are 4% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Prestige Care, Inc., Emeritus Corporation, Peacehealth, and Emeritus Senior Living. | |||||||||||
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Pennsylvania – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HCR ManorCare, Genesis HealthCare, UPMC, and Golden Living. | |||||||||||
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Rhode Island – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Benchmark Senior Living, CVS Caremark, MinuteClinic, and Brookdale. | |||||||||||
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South Carolina – $32,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 2% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Greenville Health System, Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Fresenius Medical Care, and ResCare. | |||||||||||
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South Dakota – $24,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Welcov Healthcare, Indian Health Service, Avera Health, and 360 Healthcare Staffing. | |||||||||||
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Tennessee – $30,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 8% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Signature HealthCARE – Care Redefined, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Grace Healthcare, and Genesis Rehabilitation Services. | |||||||||||
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Texas – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Army, Brookdale, Senior Care Centers, and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. | |||||||||||
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Utah – $25,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ensign Therapy, Salt Lake Regional Medical Ctr, United States Army, and Jordan Valley Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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Virginia – $32,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Virginia are the same as average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consulate Health Care, Medical Facilities of America, Valley Health, and Riverside Health System. | |||||||||||
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Vermont – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Vermont are 11% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MAS Medical Staffing, RehabCare Group, Unlisted Company, and Ardor Health. | |||||||||||
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Washington – $33,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Washington are 2% higher than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Providence Health & Services, Prestige Care, Inc., ResCare, and Peacehealth. | |||||||||||
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Wisconsin – $29,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Maxim Healthcare Services, United Hospital System, and Froedtert Health. | |||||||||||
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West Virginia – $31,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Golden Living, Genesis HealthCare, Diversicare Health Care, and Right at Home, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Wyoming – $27,000(High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) | Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Nursing Assistants salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Army, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Ardor Health, and MAS Medical Staffing. | |||||||||||
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