Nursing Assistants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Nursing Assistants fall under the Healthcare Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Nursing Assistants earn a median salary of $39,530 per year, ranking in the top 86% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do nursing assistants earn?

The median annual wage for nursing assistants is $39,530. That puts nursing assistants at #695 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is nursing assistants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for nursing assistants is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 1.4M positions in 2024 to 1.5M in 2034, a net change of 33K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do nursing assistants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working nursing assistants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
2. 2.Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
3. 3.Prepare or serve food trays.
4. 4.Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.
5. 5.Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
6. 6.Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
7. 7.Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
8. 8.Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.

Top skills for nursing assistants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become nursing assistant?

Entry into nursing assistants typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

How to become nursing assistant: step by step

The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about About 1 to 3 months to certify, plus ongoing 24-month renewal. Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.

1. 1

   State-Approved Nurse Aide Training (NATCEP)

   ~0.15 years

   A short state-approved training program (typically 4 to 12 weeks) offered by community colleges, vocational schools, high schools, the Red Cross, or long-term care facilities. Many states exceed the 75-hour federal minimum. Sets the federal standard via CMS; approved and administered by each state's Department of Health.

   • •Meet minimum age (often 16 to 18, varies by state)
   • •Pass background check and health screening where required (high school diploma often not required)
   • •Complete a state-approved program with at least 75 clock hours (federal floor under OBRA 1987 / 42 CFR 483.152), including at least 16 hours supervised clinical training
   • •Complete at least 16 hours of classroom training before any direct patient contact (communication, infection control, safety, residents' rights)
2. 2

   Competency Evaluation Exam and State Certification

   ~0.05 years

   The state competency evaluation that converts training into a working credential. Passing lists the individual on the state Nurse Aide Registry, which is the legal requirement to work as a nurse aide in a certified facility.

   • •Pass the two-part competency evaluation: a written or oral knowledge test plus a hands-on skills demonstration
   • •Knowledge test is commonly around 70 multiple-choice questions with a passing score near 70 to 75 percent
   • •Skills demonstration of about 5 randomly selected personal-care skills, with most states requiring near-100 percent accuracy
   • •Placement on the state Nurse Aide Registry, legally required to work in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility

   NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, NCSBN) in about 20 states, or a state-specific exam; administered by Prometric or Credentia
3. 3

   Registry Maintenance and Renewal

   ~2 years

   Ongoing requirement to keep active registry status. The federal work requirement and 24-month renewal cycle mean the credential must be actively maintained, or it lapses and must be re-earned by exam.

   • •Renew registry status every 24 months
   • •Perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work within each 24-month period (federal requirement)
   • •If certification lapses after more than 24 consecutive months without nurse aide work, retake and pass the state competency exam to be re-listed
4. 4

   Advancement into Licensed Nursing (LPN then RN)

   Optional~3 years

   Separate credentials, not sub-phases of the CNA certification. The main growth route is bridging out of CNA into LPN and then RN, which are the deeper multi-year ladders where CNA experience is a real advantage.

   • •Optional specialty add-ons in some states (CNA II, medication aide/CMA, restorative aide)
   • •Bridge into Licensed Practical Nurse (about 1 year) and then Registered Nurse (ADN 2 years or BSN 4 years)
   • •CNA experience is often a prerequisite or strong advantage for nursing-school admission

   NCLEX-PN (for LPN)NCLEX-RN (for RN)

Related careers your child might also consider

• Occupational Therapy Assistants
  $68,340 median
• Physical Therapist Assistants
  $65,510 median
• Massage Therapists
  $57,950 median
• Dental Assistants
  $47,300 median
• Medical Equipment Preparers
  $46,490 median
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
  $46,050 median

Common questions parents ask about nursing assistants