The Earning Potential Of A CNA

Naturally, one of the first things anyone wants to know when investigating a new career is how much you will be able to earn.  One of the nicest things about becoming a CNA is that the relatively short and inexpensive training program will get you embarked on your new employment quickly, and allow you start earning fast.

Earnings To Start With

Of course, how much you will earn to begin with will depend on several factors – where you live and what kind of facility you will be working for will have a large influence on what you will earn. Most nursing assistants start with a salary of about $11.00 per hour. This will provide you with a pay rate well above minimum wage, and you will have the potential to earn more as time goes on. Within a year, your pay will probably have advanced to around $14.00 per hour, and you should be aware that some CNAs can earn up to $30,000.00 per year. Generally, the longer you remain with an employer, the greater the potential for earning.

Where You Will Work

There is a great need for CNAs in many fields. Hospitals, of course, are the primary source of employment for nursing assistants, and hospitals generally pay at the highest rate. If you work at a hospital, there is every chance that you will also be able to get some of the benefits available from a large employer, such as health care and pension. Hospitals in large metropolitan areas will pay more than small regional hospitals.

Nursing homes also need nursing assistants to help care for the elderly in the home. The pay rate at nursing homes is usually not quite as good as at a hospital, but once again, there are often employee benefits available. Both of these places are considered to be growth industries as America’s population ages, so there will generally be no shortage of jobs available.

You can also work privately to help take care of aged or disabled people in their home. Jobs of this type generally will not pay as much as those in an institution, but many CNAs prefer this type of work because it will be less demanding on their time, allowing them to fit in work with family life. It is unlikely that a position in a private home will give you any additional benefits, but it will give you more free time, if this is important to you.

A Job Will Be Easy To Find

Once you have gotten your certification, it will usually not be very difficult to find a job. Nursing assistant jobs are in high demand, and as the turnover is fairly high, openings will generally be available in every area of the country. While starting pay for a CNA is somewhat low, there is every potential for advancement, and generally the longer you remain at a facility, the higher will be your pay. As you become more skilled and experienced, too, your pay will usually advance.