Healthcare
How to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Help patients with daily care in hospitals and nursing homes.
About $39,000 typical pay. Training time: 4–12 week course. Many nursing homes pay for it. How to start: Get paid while you learn.
Take the career quiz See first steps
What does a certified nursing assistant (CNA) do?
Certified nursing assistants help patients with daily care like bathing, eating, and moving around in hospitals and nursing homes. Training takes four to twelve weeks, and many employers pay for it. It's a common first step toward becoming an LVN or RN.
What the work is like
- Physical: Moderately physical. Some lifting and time on your feet.
- Heights: Little or no work at heights.
- Blood and medical: Occasional exposure to blood or bodily fluids.
- Schedule: Nights, weekends, long shifts, or rotations are common.
- Travel: You'll usually work close to home.
- Math: Little math beyond the basics.
Good to know: A fast first step toward becoming an LVN or RN later.
Steps to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Training: 4–12 week course. Many nursing homes pay for it. You can earn while you learn.
- Ask if your school has a health science CNA program.
- Call local nursing homes and ask about free CNA training.
- Pass your state CNA exam.
Not sure this is the one? Take the free quiz to compare it with 43 other careers.
Where certified nursing assistant (CNA) jobs are in demand
Texas
- San Antonio area: A big military presence, a large medical center, aircraft maintenance at Port San Antonio, and growing cyber jobs.
- Rio Grande Valley and Laredo: Healthcare is growing fast, and border trade keeps trucks and warehouses busy.
- Panhandle: Wind farms, agriculture, and meat processing all need technicians, drivers, and mechanics.
- East Texas: Utilities, timber, manufacturing, and rural healthcare are hiring.
- El Paso: Fort Bliss, cross-border manufacturing and trucking, and a growing medical sector.
California
- Coachella Valley and Inland Empire: Desert heat keeps HVAC busy year-round, plus solar, warehouses, resorts, and healthcare.
- Central Coast: Agriculture, hospitality, healthcare, and energy keep these towns hiring.
- Central Valley: Farming needs mechanics and drivers, and new solar and healthcare jobs are growing.
- Northern California: Wildfire recovery, utility work, and rural healthcare are in high demand.
Idaho
- Idaho: One of the fastest-growing states, with nonstop homebuilding, a major chip plant expanding in Boise, and big farms that need mechanics and drivers.
Ohio
- Southern Ohio: Manufacturing and new battery plants, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, and a growing need for nurses and drivers in rural counties.
Indiana
- Indiana: One of the most manufacturing-heavy states (cars, RVs, steel, and batteries), and a crossroads for trucking and warehouses.
Regional demand is a general guide. Check with your local workforce office for current openings.
How to pay for certified nursing assistant (CNA) training
Many people start this career through a paid apprenticeship or an employer who trains you, so training can cost little or nothing.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you qualify for a Pell grant. Since 2026, Workforce Pell can also cover some short programs of 8 to 15 weeks. High school CTE and dual credit classes are often free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a certified nursing assistant (CNA) make?
Typical pay is about $39,000, based on approximate national medians. Starting pay is usually lower, and pay varies by area and experience.
How long does it take to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
4–12 week course. Many nursing homes pay for it.
Can you get paid while training?
Yes. Many people in this career are paid while they train, through a paid apprenticeship, an employer who covers training, or on-the-job learning.
Do you need a college degree?
No. This career doesn't require a four-year degree.
Is there an age requirement or anything else to know?
A fast first step toward becoming an LVN or RN later.
Similar careers to explore
- Licensed vocational nurse (LVN/LPN): About $62,000. 12–18 month program, then the NCLEX-PN exam
- Medical assistant: About $44,000. 9–12 month certificate
- Pharmacy technician: About $43,000. Weeks to months. Many pharmacies train you
- Phlebotomist: About $41,000. 4–8 week program
Is certified nursing assistant (CNA) the right fit for you?
Answer 15 quick questions and see how it compares with 43 other careers hiring near you.