How Much Does a CNA Make in Idaho in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Idaho, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Idaho · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Idaho earns about $18.58 per hour ($38,650 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 9% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year).
Idaho ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Around 7,910 CNAs work across the state, providing steady hands-on care in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings statewide.
How much does a CNA make in Idaho?
CNA pay by career stage in Idaho
| Career stage | Idaho | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,380$13.65 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,300$17.45 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,650$18.58 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $46,250$22.23 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $47,430$22.80 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 Idaho
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Idaho · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, typical pay for Idaho CNAs was $23,690 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $38,650, a 63% rise over the decade. The national CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Idaho's growth has tracked closely with the country as a whole.
Pay has moved up steadily nearly every year since 2015, with a notable jump between 2021 and 2022. For someone starting as a CNA in Idaho now, the record shows pay that has kept climbing, though no future increase is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Idaho
Pay runs highest in the Coeur d'Alene metro area, where CNAs typically earn $39,820 a year ($19.15 an hour). Boise City and Lewiston follow closely, at $39,220 and $38,870. Pocatello sits lowest among Idaho's tracked metro areas, at $36,330, putting the full spread between the state's highest- and lowest-paying cities at $3,490.
These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just downtown. As in most states, higher pay in a given city often lines up with a higher cost of living there.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Idaho | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coeur d'Alene | $39,820 | $19.15 | +3% | 970 |
| 2 | Boise City | $39,220 | $18.85 | +1% | 3,790 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $38,870 | $18.69 | +1% | 350 |
| 4 | Twin Falls | $38,670 | $18.59 | 0% | 540 |
| 5 | Idaho Falls | $37,720 | $18.13 | -2% | 540 |
| 6 | Pocatello | $36,330 | $17.47 | -6% | 300 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Idaho typical pay $38,650
How Idaho compares with nearby states
Neighboring states pay more than Idaho does. Oregon offers the widest gap, at $49,830 typical annual pay, 29% above Idaho's figure, with Washington close behind at $49,180. Montana, Utah, and Wyoming run closer to Idaho's numbers, each within a few percentage points. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $38,650 | baseline |
| Oregon | $49,830 | +29% |
| Washington | $49,180 | +27% |
| Nevada | $45,490 | +18% |
| Montana | $40,900 | +6% |
| Utah | $39,840 | +3% |
| Wyoming | $39,160 | +1% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Idaho a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Idaho sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,650 a year, 9% below the national figure, ranking 35th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Idaho, about 9.2 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, Idaho ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 63% over the past decade.
Summary
Idaho CNAs typically earn $38,650 a year ($18.58 an hour) today, up 63% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, check Idaho's state registry page for CNA certification requirements. For pay specific to your area, see the city pages covering Coeur d'Alene, Boise City, and the rest of Idaho's metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Idaho?
- A CNA in Idaho typically earns $18.58 an hour, or about $38,650 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 9% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, though pay varies by city and employer across the state.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Idaho?
- Idaho CNAs typically earn $18.58 an hour. Entry-level positions typically start around $13.65 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.23 to $22.80 an hour, based on May 2025 government wage data.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Idaho?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Idaho typically offer around $13.65 an hour, or about $28,380 a year, based on May 2025 government wage data. Pay rises with experience, with typical pay reaching $18.58 an hour and experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $22.23 an hour.
- Which city in Idaho pays CNAs the most?
- Coeur d'Alene pays CNAs the most in Idaho, with typical pay of $39,820 a year ($19.15 an hour). Boise City and Lewiston follow closely behind. Pocatello sits at the lower end of the range, at $36,330 a year, based on May 2025 government wage data.
- Is CNA pay in Idaho higher than the national rate?
- No. Idaho CNAs typically earn $38,650 a year, about 9% below the national figure of $42,260, according to May 2025 government wage data. Idaho ranks 35th out of 51 states for CNA pay. Lower pay in Idaho often tracks with lower living costs statewide.