CNA salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A CNA in California earns a median of $47,630 a year ($22.90/hour equivalent), 12.7% above the national median of $42,260. California ranks #6 of 51 states. About 110,060 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $38,934 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,497 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,831.92
- Federal income tax
- −$135.98
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$113.58
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$26.56
- California income tax
- −$34.51
- CA SDI
- −$23.81
- Take-home pay
- $1,497.47
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $47,630
- Federal
- $3,536
- FICA
- $3,644
- State + local
- $1,517
- Net
- $38,934
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 6.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oregon | $49,830 |
| #2 | Washington | $49,180 |
| #3 | New York | $48,590 |
| #4 | New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| #5 | District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| #6 | California | $47,630 |
| #49 | Alabama | $34,140 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $31,520 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $30,510 |
See the national CNA salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a CNA make in California?
The median salary is $47,630 a year and the average is $50,190 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for nursing assistants?
California ranks #6 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 13% above the national median of $42,260.
What is $47,630 after taxes in California?
About $38,934 a year ($1,497 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.