How Much Does a CNA Make in Florida in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Florida, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Florida · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Florida earns about $18.03 per hour ($37,510 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 11% below the national figure of $42,260.
Florida ranks 43rd out of 51 states for CNA pay. Nearly 97,000 CNAs work across the state, making it one of the larger CNA workforces in the country.
How much does a CNA make in Florida?
CNA pay by career stage in Florida
| Career stage | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $34,350$16.52 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,040$17.33 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,510$18.03 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $42,310$20.34 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,790$22.50 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Florida
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Florida · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Florida CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay was $23,770 a year; by 2025 it reached $37,510, a 58% rise over ten years.
That trails the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same period. Someone starting as a CNA in Florida today is entering a field where pay has been moving up year over year, though nothing about the future is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Florida
Pay varies by metro area within Florida. Naples posts the highest typical pay in the state at $40,260 a year ($19.36 an hour), with the Sarasota area close behind at $39,950. These figures cover each metro area as a whole.
Tallahassee sits at the low end at $34,180, a gap of $6,080 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Higher pay in cities like Naples and Sarasota tends to track a higher cost of living in those areas.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Florida | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples metro incl. Marco Island | $40,260 | $19.36 | +7% | 1,400 |
| 2 | North Port | $39,950 | $19.21 | +7% | 4,660 |
| 3 | Sebastian metro incl. Vero Beach · West Vero Corridor | $38,530 | $18.52 | +3% | 870 |
| 4 | Miami metro incl. Fort Lauderdale · West Palm Beach | $38,010 | $18.28 | +1% | 23,490 |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $37,760 | $18.15 | +1% | 7,960 |
| 6 | Orlando | $37,690 | $18.12 | 0% | 12,000 |
| 7 | Port St. Lucie | $37,690 | $18.12 | 0% | 2,680 |
| 8 | Cape Coral metro incl. Fort Myers | $37,510 | $18.04 | 0% | 3,520 |
| 9 | Tampa metro incl. St. Petersburg · Clearwater | $37,470 | $18.02 | 0% | 15,120 |
| 10 | Palm Bay metro incl. Melbourne · Titusville | $37,070 | $17.82 | -1% | 2,760 |
| 11 | Gainesville | $36,990 | $17.79 | -1% | 2,890 |
| 12 | Crestview metro incl. Fort Walton Beach · Destin | $36,970 | $17.77 | -1% | 850 |
| 13 | Deltona metro incl. Daytona Beach · Ormond Beach | $36,950 | $17.76 | -1% | 3,160 |
| 14 | Punta Gorda | $36,700 | $17.64 | -2% | 880 |
| 15 | Ocala | $36,510 | $17.56 | -3% | 1,470 |
| 16 | Pensacola metro incl. Ferry Pass · Brent | $36,430 | $17.51 | -3% | 2,150 |
| 17 | Panama City metro incl. Panama City Beach | $36,420 | $17.51 | -3% | 670 |
| 18 | Wildwood metro incl. The Villages | $36,110 | $17.36 | -4% | 600 |
| 19 | Lakeland metro incl. Winter Haven | $36,000 | $17.31 | -4% | 2,960 |
| 20 | Sebring | $35,650 | $17.14 | -5% | 540 |
| 21 | Homosassa Springs | $34,510 | $16.59 | -8% | 850 |
| 22 | Tallahassee | $34,180 | $16.43 | -9% | 1,520 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Florida typical pay $37,510
How Florida compares with nearby states
Florida's CNA pay is roughly in line with Georgia, where typical pay is $37,680 a year, just about even with Florida's figure. Alabama pays less, with typical CNA pay of $34,140 a year, about 9% below Florida. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it helps to know how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $37,510 | baseline |
| Georgia | $37,680 | 0% |
| Alabama | $34,140 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Florida a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Florida earn less than in most states: typical pay is $37,510 a year, 11% below the national figure, ranking 43rd of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Florida, about 9.8 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, Florida ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 58% over the past decade.
Summary
Florida CNAs typically earn $37,510 a year ($18.03 an hour), up 58% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, check Florida's state registry page for CNA certification requirements. For local figures, see the city pages for Naples, Tampa, Orlando, and other Florida metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Florida?
- A CNA in Florida typically earns **$18.03 an hour**, or about **$37,510 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level positions typically offer around $16.52 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.50 an hour.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Florida?
- Typical hourly pay for a Florida CNA is **$18.03**, according to May 2025 government wage data. Entry-level positions typically offer around $16.52 an hour, and experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.50 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Florida?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Florida typically offer around **$16.52 an hour**, or about **$34,350 a year**. As CNAs gain experience, pay tends to rise toward the state's typical pay of $18.03 an hour, with experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $22.50 an hour.
- Which city in Florida pays CNAs the most?
- **Naples** pays CNAs the most in Florida, with typical pay of **$40,260 a year** ($19.36 an hour). The Sarasota area follows closely at $39,950 a year. Pay tends to run higher in these areas partly because the cost of living there is higher too.
- Is CNA pay in Florida higher than the national rate?
- No. Florida's typical CNA pay of **$37,510 a year** runs about **11% below** the national figure of $42,260. Florida ranks 43rd out of 51 states for CNA pay, and lower pay in the state generally tracks a lower cost of living.