The CNA / Nursing Assistant career path — where does it actually lead?
Real US Bureau of Labor Statistics wage and job-growth data for every real step on this path — pick a next step below and the numbers update to match it.
CNA / Nursing Assistant
The real, common entry point into nursing — shortest path to a paycheck, no degree required.
Wage: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, May 2025. Outlook: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 cycle, 2025-35 (base year 2025).
🤖 How exposed is this career to AI?
Two independent, real sources — shown separately, never blended into one invented score.
In real observed use, AI assists this work 62% of the time rather than replacing it outright — and BLS still projects real 2.6% growth through 2035.
Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-05-01 to 2026-06-01. Felten, Raj & Seamans, extended for language-modeling AI applications.
What Does a CNA Make?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) earns a median annual wage of $42,260 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (OEWS, May 2025). Entry-level CNAs — the lowest-paid 10% — earn around $33,940 per year; experienced CNAs — the highest-paid 10% — earn around $51,980.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects CNA employment to grow 2.6% between 2025 and 2035, with roughly 196,200 real annual job openings nationwide (BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 cycle). Typical entry requirement: a postsecondary nondegree award, not a college degree.
How to Become a CNA
- 1Meet basic eligibility
Most states require candidates to be at least 16 or 18 years old (the exact minimum varies by state) and to pass a criminal background check before starting training.
- 2Complete a state-approved CNA training program
Federal law (42 CFR §483.151-483.152, part of the 1987 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) sets a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised clinical training, including at least 16 hours of hands-on practical training before any resident contact. Many states set their own minimum above the federal 75-hour floor — check your state’s exact requirement before enrolling.
- 3Pass the state competency exam
A written or oral knowledge test plus a hands-on skills demonstration, usually administered by the state health department or a testing vendor such as Pearson VUE or Prometric.
- 4Get listed on your state’s Nurse Aide Registry
Required before you can legally work as a CNA. Registry status typically must be renewed roughly every 24 months with proof of paid nursing-related work during that period, per 42 CFR §483.156 — otherwise you may need to retake the competency exam.
A Day in the Life of a CNA
CNAs work directly with patients or residents under the supervision of a nurse, in settings that include nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home health care.
A typical shift includes taking and recording vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration); helping patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating; assisting with mobility, transfers, and repositioning to prevent pressure sores; making beds and keeping the care environment clean and safe; and observing and reporting any change in a patient’s condition to the supervising nurse.
CNA shifts are frequently physically demanding and can include nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in 24-hour care settings like nursing homes and hospitals.