How Much Does a CNA Make in Washington in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Washington, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Washington · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Washington earns about $23.65 per hour ($49,180 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's about 16% higher than the national figure of $42,260 a year. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Roughly 30,270 CNAs work across the state, a large enough workforce that these figures reflect a broad range of employers, from hospitals to nursing homes.
How much does a CNA make in Washington?
CNA pay by career stage in Washington
| Career stage | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $42,500$20.43 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $46,980$22.59 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $49,180$23.65 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $57,930$27.85 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $62,660$30.13 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 Washington
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Washington · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in Washington has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay stood at $28,460 a year; by 2025 it reached $49,180, a 73% rise, or about $20,720 more per year. That outpaces the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same stretch. For someone entering the field now, this decade-long trend shows pay has moved consistently upward, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Washington
Pay runs highest in the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue metro areas, where CNAs typically earn $51,990 a year ($25.00 an hour). Vancouver isn't far behind at $50,350. On the low end, Yakima's typical pay is $47,080, putting the gap between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas at $4,910. Higher pay in Seattle and similar metro areas often matches a higher cost of living, so a bigger number on the paycheck doesn't always mean more spending power.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Washington | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $51,990 | $25.00 | +6% | 16,530 |
| 2 | Vancouver metro incl. Hillsboro | $50,350 | $24.21 | +2% | 8,890 |
| 3 | Bremerton metro incl. Silverdale · Port Orchard | $49,160 | $23.63 | 0% | 850 |
| 4 | Mount Vernon metro incl. Anacortes | $49,020 | $23.57 | 0% | 500 |
| 5 | Wenatchee metro incl. East Wenatchee | $48,520 | $23.33 | -1% | 440 |
| 6 | Olympia | $48,060 | $23.11 | -2% | 1,040 |
| 7 | Kennewick metro incl. Richland | $48,060 | $23.11 | -2% | 1,060 |
| 8 | Bellingham | $48,040 | $23.10 | -2% | 790 |
| 9 | Walla Walla | $47,990 | $23.07 | -2% | 290 |
| 10 | Longview metro incl. Kelso | $47,830 | $23.00 | -3% | 440 |
| 11 | Spokane metro incl. Spokane Valley | $47,240 | $22.71 | -4% | 2,780 |
| 12 | Yakima | $47,080 | $22.63 | -4% | 1,320 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Washington typical pay $49,180
How Washington compares with nearby states
Washington's pay is close to Oregon's, where typical CNA pay is about 1% higher. Alaska pays about 6% less, and Idaho trails furthest, with typical pay about 21% lower than Washington's. A CNA licensed in Washington can often test or transfer certification into a nearby state, so it helps to know how pay compares before making a move.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $49,180 | baseline |
| Oregon | $49,830 | +1% |
| Idaho | $38,650 | -21% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Washington a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Washington earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $49,180 a year, 16% above the national figure and the 2nd highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Washington, about 8.5 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, Washington is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Washington's typical CNA pay now stands at $49,180 a year ($23.65 an hour), up 73% over the past decade and well above the national figure. For certification requirements, check Washington's state registry page. For local detail, the city pages for Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and other Washington metro areas break down pay by area.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Washington?
- A CNA in Washington typically earns **$23.65 an hour**, or about **$49,180 a year**. Entry-level CNAs typically start closer to $20.43 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $57,930 a year, depending on location and experience.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Washington?
- Washington's typical hourly pay for CNAs is **$23.65**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $20.43 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $27.85 to $30.13 an hour, depending on the employer and location.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Washington?
- Starting pay for a CNA in Washington typically runs around **$20.43 an hour**, or about **$42,500 a year**. Pay usually rises with experience and certification, moving toward the state's typical pay of $23.65 an hour within a few years on the job.
- Which city in Washington pays CNAs the most?
- Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue pay CNAs the most in Washington, with typical pay around **$51,990 a year** ($25.00 an hour). Vancouver follows closely at $50,350 a year, while Yakima has the state's lowest typical pay, at $47,080 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Washington higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Washington's typical CNA pay is about **16% higher** than the national figure of $42,260 a year. Washington's typical hourly pay of $23.65 also tops the national hourly figure of $20.32, ranking the state 2nd out of 51 for CNA pay.