Yes, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) can definitely earn $25 per hour or more in 2025, and it’s becoming more common than you might think. While the national median wage is around $18–$19 per hour according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, many CNAs easily reach or exceed $25 depending on where and how they work.
Here’s what makes $25/hour realistic:
- Location matters most. In high-cost, high-demand states like California, New York, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, average CNA pay ranges from $22 to $27 per hour. In cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City, $25–$30 is standard, especially with experience.
- Experience and extra skills boost pay. New CNAs often start at $15–$18, but after 2–5 years, wages commonly climb into the mid-to-high $20s. Certifications in dementia care, wound care, phlebotomy, or medication aide status can add $3–$7 per hour.
- Setting and shift differentials. Hospitals, home health agencies, and travel/per diem positions typically pay more than nursing homes. Night shifts, weekends, and holidays often come with $2–$8 per hour differentials. Per diem apps frequently post CNA shifts at $27–$35 per hour.
- Union and overtime opportunities. Facilities with strong unions or in areas with staffing shortages regularly offer overtime at 1.5x or even 2x base pay, quickly pushing effective hourly earnings well above $25.
In short, $25 an hour is not just possible it’s very achievable for experienced CNAs willing to work in higher-paying regions, take evening/weekend shifts, or pick up per diem work. With the ongoing nationwide staffing shortage and aging population, demand (and wages) continues to rise, making $25+ increasingly common across many parts of the country.