How Much Does a CNA Make in Maryland in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Maryland, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Maryland · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Maryland earns about $20.79 per hour ($43,240 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 2% above the national figure of $42,260 a year, and it places Maryland 23rd out of the 51 states and territories ranked. Roughly 27,720 CNAs work in Maryland, giving a sense of how large the workforce is across the state.
How much does a CNA make in Maryland?
CNA pay by career stage in Maryland
| Career stage | Maryland | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $36,060$17.34 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,400$18.46 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $43,240$20.79 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $45,760$22.00 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $49,330$23.72 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 Maryland
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Maryland · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, a Maryland CNA typically earned $28,010 a year. By 2025, that figure had risen to $43,240, a 54% increase over the decade. The national CNA pay rose faster over the same stretch, climbing 64%, so Maryland's gain trailed the country as a whole even as it moved in the same direction. For someone starting as a CNA in Maryland now, the record shows pay has been moving up fairly steadily each year, though no specific future increase is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Maryland
Pay varies by metro area within Maryland. CNAs in the Alexandria metro area typically earn $45,730 a year ($21.99 an hour), the highest figure among Maryland's metro areas listed here. Baltimore, Towson, and Columbia sit close together at $42,770 a year, while Salisbury, on the Eastern Shore, comes in lowest at $38,740. That's a spread of $6,990 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Cost of living plays a role in that gap, and each figure reflects pay across the full metro area, not just the city center.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Maryland | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $45,730 | $21.99 | +6% | 25,520 |
| 2 | Lexington Park | $44,270 | $21.29 | +2% | 620 |
| 3 | Baltimore | $42,770 | $20.56 | -1% | 13,580 |
| 4 | Hagerstown metro incl. Martinsburg | $41,870 | $20.13 | -3% | 970 |
| 5 | Salisbury | $38,740 | $18.62 | -10% | 830 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Maryland typical pay $43,240
How Maryland compares with nearby states
Among Maryland's neighbors, the District of Columbia pays the most, with CNA pay running about 10% higher than Maryland's. Pennsylvania comes in a bit above as well, at about 3% higher. West Virginia sits furthest below, with pay about 15% lower than Maryland's. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it helps to know how pay compares across state lines.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $43,240 | baseline |
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | +3% |
| Virginia | $43,200 | 0% |
| Delaware | $42,030 | -3% |
| West Virginia | $36,720 | -15% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Maryland a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Maryland earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $43,240 a year, 2% above the national figure, ranking 23rd of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Maryland, about 10 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. Overall, Maryland is a middle-of-the-table state for CNA pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
CNAs in Maryland typically earn $20.79 an hour, or about $43,240 a year, a figure that has climbed 54% since 2015. Pay runs highest in the Alexandria metro area and lowest in Salisbury, with cost of living accounting for much of that gap. For certification requirements, check Maryland's state registry page; for pay specific to a city, see the local city pages linked from this guide.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Maryland?
- A CNA in Maryland typically earns **$20.79 an hour**, or about **$43,240 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is close to the national figure and puts Maryland 23rd among the 51 states and territories ranked for CNA pay.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Maryland?
- Typical hourly pay for a Maryland CNA is **$20.79**. Entry-level positions typically start closer to $17.34 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.72 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Maryland?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Maryland typically offer around **$17.34 an hour**, or about $36,060 a year. As CNAs gain some experience, pay tends to move toward $18.46 an hour, or roughly $38,400 a year, before climbing further with tenure.
- Which city in Maryland pays CNAs the most?
- The Alexandria metro area pays the most, with CNAs typically earning **$45,730 a year** ($21.99 an hour). Baltimore, Towson, and Columbia follow at $42,770 a year, while Salisbury pays the least among the metro areas listed, at $38,740 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Maryland higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Maryland CNAs typically earn **$43,240 a year**, about 2% above the national figure of $42,260. Maryland ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay, placing it in the middle of the national range.