Nursing Home CNAs Show 4.76% Hourly Increase
Oakland, NJ, August 2020 – The national average hourly rate for Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) in nursing homes increased 4.76% in 2020, according to the 2020-2021 HCS Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report. The national study is published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS), in cooperation with LeadingAgeand AHCA.
CNA rates continued their upward trend from the 2019 increase of 3.10%. In a comparison by state, the lowest rates were reported in Louisiana at $10.21 and Mississippi at $11.81, with the highest reported in Connecticut at $16.42 and California at $16.50. Data reported above represent the national 50th percentile.
Hourly Rate Increases
Job Title |
2019 Increase |
2020 Increase |
Certified Nurse Aide |
3.10% |
4.76% |
Non-Certified Nurse Aide |
2.47% |
4.24% |
Certified Medication Tech. |
2.60% |
3.12% |
National data from the 2020-2021 Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report.
Turnover for CNAs decreased from 46.36% in 2019 to 39.38% in 2020. CNA shift differential pay also increased in 2020. The average additional hourly pay for weekend shift (day rate) was $1.38; the average 2nd shift rate was $1.18; and the average 3rd shift rate was $1.29. Comparatively, in 2019 the weekend shift (day rate) was $1.32; the average 2nd shift rate was $1.16; and the average 3rd shift rate was $1.30.
Non-Certified Nurse Aides saw a 4.24% increase in hourly rates, up from a 2.47% increase in 2019. Certified Medication Technicians saw a 3.12% increase, up from last year’s 2.60% increase.
This year marks the 43rd annual year of publication. 1,588 nursing homes participated in the study and provided compensation data on 141,700+ employees, covering 46 management and 53 nonmanagement positions. 28.59% of study participants were not-for-profit facilities, while 71.41% were for-profit facilities. The results are reported according to revenue size, profit type, region, state, and CBSA. The Report includes 19 fringe benefits, shift differentials, and projected salary increases by department for 2019 to 2020. Data in the study are effective as of March 2020.
The Nursing Home Report is available for $350. The price for LeadingAge and AHCA members is $275. To order online, visit the HCS website at www.hhcsinc.com or call (201) 405-0075.
HCS released a separate CCRC Salary & Benefits Report last month, as well as its Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Report, which was released earlier this year.
HCS, founded in 1971, is recognized as the leader in national healthcare salary and benefits research. HCS conducts national and custom marketplace studies, publishing more than ten specialized Reports each year.
