Salary Outlook
According to the BLS, nursing aides earned $24,190 in 2011, or approximately $11.63 per hour. The best-paid earned about $35,170, while the lowest-paid earned about $18,060. Metro areas like San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., and San Jose, Calif., compensate nursing aides well.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $19,790.00 |
| 2004 | $21,310.00 |
| 2006 | $22,660.00 |
| 2008 | $24,380.00 |
| 2010 | $24,880.00 |
Average Nursing Aide Pay vs. All Healthcare Jobs
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants don’t exactly rank highest on the healthcare salary pay scale. They earn noticeably less than registered nurses, who earn anywhere between $44,190 and $119,940 a year, and pharmacists, who earn an average salary of $111,570. Both occupational therapists and physical therapists also make more than nursing aides. Home health aides, on the other hand, earn slightly less.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $113,390.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $78,270.00 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,820.00 |
| Registered Nurse | $65,690.00 |
| Nursing Aide | $24,190.00 |
| Home Health Aide | $20,610.00 |
See Complete List of Best Healthcare Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Nursing Aides
The highest paid in the nursing aide profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, and San Jose, CA. The Nassau, NY area also pays well, as does the city of Fairbanks, AK.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $37,440 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a nursing aide working in San Francisco, CA is $37,440, which is $13,250 more than the average pay in the profession.
Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $36,320 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a nursing aide working in Oakland, CA is $36,320, which is $12,130 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $35,300 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a nursing aide working in San Jose, CA is $35,300, which is $11,110 more than the average pay in the profession.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $35,160 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a nursing aide working in Nassau, NY is $35,160, which is $10,970 more than the average pay in the profession.
Fairbanks, AK
Average Salary: $34,760 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a nursing aide working in Fairbanks, AK is $34,760, which is $10,570 more than the average pay in the profession.
