Nursing Assistant Salary Calculator
Median nursing assistant pay is $42,260 a year. See pay by state and calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax and FICA.
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About the Nursing Assistant Salary Calculator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), the median nursing assistant salary is $42,260 a year (about $20.32 an hour). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,940 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,980. The mean annual wage is $42,700 and about 1,448,910 people work in this occupation.
How to use it
- Leave the annual salary at the national median or type your own pay.
- Choose your state and filing status and add any 401(k) contribution.
- Press Calculate take-home pay to see your nursing assistant pay per year, month, paycheck and hour.
Nursing Assistant salary by state (2026)
Washington pays nursing assistants the most, with an average of $52,230 a year, and Louisiana pays the least at $32,250. State averages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025). The monthly take-home column is an estimate for a single filer using the 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security, Medicare and each state's 2026 income tax brackets.
Highest-paying states: Washington ($52,230), Oregon ($52,160), California ($50,190), New Hampshire ($49,290), Alaska ($48,920).
Lowest-paying states: Louisiana ($32,250), Mississippi ($32,890), Alabama ($33,670), Arkansas ($33,970), Oklahoma ($35,920).
| State | Average annual salary | Est. take-home / month |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $52,230 | $3,679 |
| Oregon | $52,160 | $3,363 |
| California | $50,190 | $3,454 |
| New Hampshire | $49,290 | $3,482 |
| Alaska | $48,920 | $3,457 |
| New York | $48,800 | $3,279 |
| District of Columbia | $47,930 | $3,391 |
| Massachusetts | $47,700 | $3,195 |
| Maine | $47,510 | $3,194 |
| Colorado | $47,400 | $3,241 |
| Vermont | $46,850 | $3,224 |
| New Jersey | $46,810 | $3,229 |
| Rhode Island | $46,360 | $3,192 |
| Minnesota | $46,030 | $3,127 |
| Hawaii | $45,710 | $3,078 |
| Connecticut | $45,440 | $3,131 |
| Illinois | $45,230 | $3,036 |
| Nevada | $44,900 | $3,188 |
| Arizona | $44,820 | $3,107 |
| Wisconsin | $44,600 | $3,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,960 | $3,013 |
| North Dakota | $43,330 | $3,083 |
| Maryland | $43,310 | $2,940 |
| Montana | $43,160 | $2,966 |
| Nebraska | $42,390 | $2,933 |
| Delaware | $42,290 | $2,874 |
| Virginia | $42,160 | $2,870 |
| Iowa | $41,490 | $2,883 |
| Michigan | $41,490 | $2,834 |
| Wyoming | $41,470 | $2,958 |
| New Mexico | $41,400 | $2,886 |
| Ohio | $40,520 | $2,867 |
| Utah | $40,450 | $2,819 |
| Indiana | $40,200 | $2,777 |
| Kansas | $39,730 | $2,724 |
| South-Dakota | $39,510 | $2,827 |
| North Carolina | $39,280 | $2,724 |
| Kentucky | $39,170 | $2,700 |
| Florida | $39,160 | $2,804 |
| Idaho | $39,100 | $2,719 |
| Texas | $38,780 | $2,778 |
| Georgia | $38,760 | $2,661 |
| Missouri | $38,410 | $2,681 |
| Tennessee | $38,230 | $2,741 |
| West Virginia | $37,490 | $2,607 |
| South Carolina | $37,390 | $2,595 |
| Oklahoma | $35,920 | $2,498 |
| Arkansas | $33,970 | $2,364 |
| Alabama | $33,670 | $2,318 |
| Mississippi | $32,890 | $2,335 |
| Louisiana | $32,250 | $2,293 |
Click a state to see a full paycheck breakdown. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Nursing Assistant pay and take-home by percentile (no state income tax)
| Level | Gross a year | Per hour | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% (cut-off) | $33,940 | $16.32 | $2,454 |
| Median | $42,260 | $20.32 | $3,011 |
| Highest 10% (cut-off) | $51,980 | $24.99 | $3,662 |
Single filer, 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare. Pay varies by employer, experience, shift differentials and overtime. The median is a national figure, not an offer or a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nursing assistants make a year?
The median pay for nursing assistants was $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,940 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,980.
How much does a nursing assistant take home after taxes?
On the national median of $42,260, a single filer in a state with no income tax keeps about $36,136 a year ($3,011 a month) after federal income tax and FICA. Use the calculator above for your state.
Which state pays nursing assistants the most?
Washington has the highest average pay for nursing assistants, about $52,230 a year, followed by Oregon ($52,160) and California ($50,190), according to BLS May 2025 data.
What is the hourly pay for nursing assistants?
The median is about $20.32 an hour, based on 2,080 working hours a year. The mean wage across the country is $42,700 a year.
What is the lowest-paying state for nursing assistants?
Louisiana has the lowest average pay at about $32,250 a year. Pay depends on cost of living, employer, experience and demand.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.