Nursing Assistants Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, nursing assistants earn $56,220 at the median — $27.03 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $50,915 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 94.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $56K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About nursing assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level nursing assistants (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K.Top earners bring in $75K or more - a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Nursing Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48K | +22% | 12,800 |
| Washington | $48K | +22% | 28,080 |
| New York | $47K | +20% | 85,310 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +19% | 2,550 |
| California | $46K | +17% | 102,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +16% | 7,190 |
| Alaska | $46K | +16% | 1,660 |
| Maine | $46K | +15% | 8,590 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +15% | 26,970 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +15% | 38,280 |
| Nevada | $45K | +14% | 8,670 |
| New Jersey | $45K | +14% | 31,310 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +13% | 4,620 |
| Illinois | $45K | +13% | 64,660 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +13% | 21,390 |
Track nursing assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do nursing assistants make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $56,220 a year - that works out to about $27.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,450, and experienced nursing assistants can clear $74,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,796/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 91.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a nursing assistants salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nursing assistants salary is worth about $50,915 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nursing assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.