What to Pay a Certified Nursing Assistant in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
How to set your CNA pay range in Los Angeles
Three pay positions, modeled against current Los Angeles market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CNA salary percentile distribution in Los Angeles, CA
Where the Los Angeles market actually sits for CNA base pay.
Most Los Angeles employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($47,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $40,000 and a max of $54,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
California pay transparency compliance for CNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CNA in California.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay scale in job posting | 15+ employees, ≥1 in California | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Good-faith range (no inflated bands) | All covered postings | $100–$10,000 per violation; escalates for repeat |
| Include bonuses and incentive pay (SB 642) | All covered postings from 2026 | Same penalty schedule |
| Provide pay scale to current employees on request | Any covered employer | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Maintain wage history records for 3 years | All employers | Presumption against employer in disputes |
For a CNA role in Los Angeles, a compliant good-faith range looks like $40,000 to $54,000. A good-faith range for this role is $40,000–$54,000. Ranges wider than ~50% have been challenged under CA enforcement actions.
Top CNA employers in Los Angeles — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CNAs in the Los Angeles metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | Integrated health system | $44K–$56K | Sometimes ($1K–$3K) |
| Brookdale Senior Living | SNF / assisted living | $40K–$50K | Very common ($2K–$5K) |
| Providence Health | Health system | $42K–$54K | Common ($1K–$3K) |
| Genesis Healthcare | SNF (post-acute) | $38K–$48K | Very common ($2K–$5K) |
| AltaMed Health Services | FQHC | $40K–$50K | Occasional |
CNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Los Angeles
How hard is it to fill a CNA role in Los Angeles.
Skill premiums CNA candidates command in Los Angeles, CA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual Spanish | +3–5% | Very high — ~58% of postings |
| Dementia / memory care training | +4–6% | High |
| Hospice / palliative care | +4–6% | Moderate |
| Lift certification + restorative | +3–5% | High |
CNA total compensation in Los Angeles — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CNAs in Los Angeles. "Prevalence" reflects share of Los Angeles disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Los Angeles Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $47,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +10–16% premium | ~76% |
| Sign-on bonus | $1,500–$4,000 | ~52% |
| Overtime opportunity | $4K–$10K annualized | ~88% |
| Tuition reimbursement (LPN bridge) | $2,000–$4,000/yr | ~38% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$58,000–$68,000 | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CNA pay by setting in Los Angeles — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CNA range splits by employer type in the Los Angeles metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled nursing facility (SNF) | $44,000 | $40K–$50K | High — chronic turnover |
| Hospital | $52,000 | $46K–$58K | Moderate |
| Home health | $46,000 | $41K–$52K | High — rapid growth |
| Assisted living | $42,000 | $38K–$48K | Moderate |
| Hospice | $48,000 | $42K–$54K | Moderate |
CNA salary in Los Angeles vs. other California and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Los Angeles | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $47,000 | — | Moderate |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $56,000 | +19.1% | Tight |
| San Diego–Carlsbad, CA | $44,000 | −6.4% | Moderate |
| Riverside–San Bernardino, CA | $42,000 | −10.6% | Moderate |
| California statewide | $46,000 | −2.1% | — |
| U.S. national | $38,200 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Nursing Assistant in Los Angeles, CA
Related CNA pay benchmarks — California metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.