In the United States, certified nurse assistants (CNAs) make on average $26,820. Canadian CNAs make between C$37,690 ($28,261 USD) and C$48,453 ($36,331 USD) per year. Pay runs from £15,000 ($19,034 USD) to £20,000 ($25,379 USD) for CNAs in the United Kingdom, and AU$38,593 ($28,733 USD) to AU$57,407 ($42,740 USD) for those in Australia. The average pay for a CNA is CHF36,000 ($35,395 USD) in Switzerland and NOK422,400 ($49,769 USD) in Norway. Read below how the nature of the industry of certified nurse assistants, location of work and experience affect the certified nurse assistants CNA salary.
Certified Nurse Assistant Salary Influencers
The earnings for CNAs are shaped by the nature of the health care industry in the particular countries. Experience can place CNAs at the higher end of salary ranges. However, to earn more, CNAs must typically seek positions such as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses that come with more responsibilities.
1. Industry
In general, certified nurse assistants work primarily in nursing home centers, hospitals and home health agencies. Depending on the country, these sectors may feature the highest number of CNAs, but not necessarily the highest salaries.
For example, in the United States, nursing care facilities employed the most, at 612,120, while general medical and surgical hospitals employed 343,650. However, CNAs in the federal executive branch were the highest paid, at $36,760, followed by colleges, universities and professional schools at $32,990 (). Pay for CNAs, even among private employers, could depend on revenues the employers receive from insurance companies and government-funded healthcare programs.
2. Geographical Area
| CNA Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $12.89 | C$18.25 | £8.17 | AU$20.44 | CHF17.31 | NOK203.08 |
| Annual Wage | $26,820 | C$37,690 | £17,000 | AU$42,515 | CHF36,000 | NOK422,400 |
CNA Salary in the US
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNAs earn on average $26,820 per year. Within the top ten percent of earners, salaries exceed $36,890. One in four make over $30,530.
CNA Salary in Canada
CNAs in Canada make on average $18.25 per hour, according to PayScale. This translates to C$37,690 per year. Total pay per year runs between C$23,017 and C$48,453 per year.
CNA Salary in the UK
In the United Kingdom, healthcare assistants, which include nurse assistants, earn between £15,000 and £18,000 annually for starters. For those in the “Experienced Category,” annual salaries can reach £20,000.
CNA Salary in Australia
According to PayScale, Australian CNAs average AU$20.44 hourly, which equates to AU$42,515 on an annual basis. The range of total pay is AU$38,593 to AU$57,407 per year.
CNA Salary in Switzerland
PayScale reports that CNAs in Switzerland earned CHF36,000 on an annual basis. (https://www.payscale.com/research/CH/People_with_Jobs_in_Nursing/Salary)
CNA Salary in Norway
According to Statistics Norway, “Nursing Assistants and Care Assistants” earned on average NOK35,200 per month, or NOK422,400 per year, in the “Private Health and Social Services” industry in Norway.
3. Experience
Depending on location, certified nurse assistants do not need prior work experience. However, certain employers may prefer or require prior work history as a nurse assistant or in a healthcare setting. Certification or licensing from the jurisdiction is typically necessary to hold the title of certified nursing assistant.
Normally, training comes through post-secondary educational programs involving supervised clinical work. In the United States, vocational schools, technical schools and community colleges provide education in the fundamentals of nursing. Nursing assistants in the United Kingdom normally undergo an apprenticeship.
Work experience can lead CNAs to more advanced health care positions. For instance, CNA experience can help these workers enter into licensed practical nurse or registered nurse programs. Typically, LPNs or RNs earn more than CNAs.
Working Hours
For certified nurse assistants, shifts are determined by the work setting. Irregular work times, including nights, weekends and holidays, can be expected due to the prominence of employers that operate around the clock. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing care (skilled nursing) facilities accounted for four out of every ten nurse assistants. Another one-fourth were employed in hospitals.
CNAs employed by home health care agencies often will travel to homes to care for patients.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
Depending on the employer, sign-on bonuses may be available for new hires. However, other CNAs may get bonuses or incentives to work irregular shifts.
In Australia, Norway and Switzerland, employees are entitled to receive paid vacation and holidays. Swiss employees can receive at least four weeks of paid leave per year. As to retirement, Norwegian law provides employees with occupational pension. Switzerland has a three-pillar pension system. The first consists of Old Age and Survivors/Disability Insurance run by the government. In the second, employers must contribute to occupational plans, while pension funding in the third pillar is voluntary. In Australia, employees have guaranteed pension in the form of superannuation. Healthcare workers in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service can receive benefits from the pension program starting at age 55.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nursing assistant employment should grow by 18 percent through 2024. According to the Australian government, job openings for “Nursing Support and Healthcare Workers” should number over 50,000 by November 2019. Employment is project to be very strong through November 2020.
The aging populations, increased life expectancy and overall access to healthcare can increase demand for medical services. As an illustration of the rising elderly, Switzerland has a ratio of four people to everyone age 64 or over, while in 1860 the ratio was one to 12. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the population of those at least age 65 increased from 948,100 in 1964 to 3.4 million in 2014. The Australian Bureau of Statistics projects 9.6 million people will be at least age 65 by 2064.
CNAs likely will be needed to meet the demand and need for services. However, job growth could be limited based upon the level of government spending especially for residents of long-term care facilities. Moreover, those who might otherwise need nursing home care may opt to remain at home independently or under the care of family members. For instance, as of 2012, Switzerland had 121,000 people out of the 1.4 million aged 65 or older living in nursing homes.
Conclusion
To conclude, CNAs should have strong employment opportunities due to the demand for medical services. Due to the rising population of the elderly, the work of CNAs will find openings especially in nursing home and other settings. While pay levels may vary by country, generally CNAs may have their salaries affected by the availability and amount of government or insurance benefits in nursing and home health care.