Nursing Assistants: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2024)

How does Nursing Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 51 states with BLS data.

47% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$32,264
$2,689/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$38,648
$3,221/mo
Senior (P90)
$47,449
$3,954/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Nursing Assistants spans from $32,264 at entry-level to $47,449 at senior level — a difference of $15,185 per year.

P10
$32K
P25
$35K
Median
$38K
P75
$42K
P90
$47K

Career Growth Premium: +47%

Senior Nursing Assistantss earn $15,185 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$15,185
Monthly Difference
+$1,265
Hourly Difference
+$7.30
Growth Multiple
1.5x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Nursing Assistants salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $32,264 $2,689 $15.51
Early Career P25 $35,158 $2,930 $16.90
Mid-Career Median $38,648 $3,221 $18.58
Experienced P75 $42,619 $3,552 $20.49
Senior / Expert P90 $47,449 $3,954 $22.81
Key Insight

Nursing Assistants has a moderate salary progression with a 47% growth from entry-level ($32,264) to senior ($47,449). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($38,648) and P90 ($47,449) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

Top States for Senior Nursing Assistants Pay

Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Nursing Assistants? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.

1
$60,880
Entry: $35K
+73%
2
$59,490
Entry: $37K
+57%
3
$58,590
Entry: $38K
+52%
4
$58,270
Entry: $40K
+45%
5
$58,050
Entry: $38K
+53%
6
$56,690
Entry: $35K
+60%
7
$55,810
Entry: $35K
+57%
8
$54,620
Entry: $38K
+42%
9
$54,270
Entry: $36K
+48%
10
$53,290
Entry: $36K
+45%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Nursing Assistants?

Entry-level Nursing Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $32,264 per year, or $2,688 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $35,158. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Nursing Assistants make?

Senior Nursing Assistantss (90th percentile) earn approximately $47,449 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $42,619. This represents a career premium of 47% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Nursing Assistants?

The career salary growth potential for Nursing Assistantss is 47%. Entry-level professionals start at $32,264, while senior-level can earn up to $47,449 — a difference of $15,185 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Nursing Assistantss?

The highest-paying state for senior Nursing Assistantss is Nevada, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $60,880 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Nursing Assistants salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. National averages are computed across 51 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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