GettyImages-1397412488-min Hey, you! Yes—you. Hi. If you’re reading this, then that means that you’re either a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or you’re interested in learning more about CNAs. Lucky for you, we’re here to help! So, we’ve created this handy dandy guide to help you navigate where to go in your career as a traveling CNA.

A Guide to the States You Can Make the Most as a Travel CNA

Let’s be real — you became a CNA because you want to make a positive impact on the lives you touch. But that doesn’t mean you don't want to maximize the money that comes with CNA life.

Before we dive into the deep end of travel nursing and where you can go to make the most money as a travel CNA, let’s explore what a certified nursing assistant is, how to become one, what the job outlook is like, and lastly, which states are handing out the big bucks.

What is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?

You’ve heard of travel nurses. Now get ready for travel certified nursing assistants, sometimes known as nursing aides or patient care assistants! CNAs are a type of nursing professional who provides health care to patients in a variety of medical settings. You may find CNAs in nursing homes, long term care facilities, hospitals, hospice centers, private homes, and more.

But what exactly does a CNA do? As part of the medical team, CNAs work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) to provide patient with personal care and assistance with daily living tasks, such as dressing, eating, toileting, and personal hygiene. CNAs also take vital signs, record intake and output, and help with medical procedures. Let's put it this way — CNAs are an essential part of a healthcare team and offer personalized and individualized quality patient care to help them live a better life.

How to become a certified nursing assistant

Rid your brain of everything you think you know about becoming a CNA. Here’s how it is: to become a certified nursing assistant, all you need to do is enroll in a state-sanctioned training program and pass a state certification exam. That might be easier said than done and vary state by state, but we believe in you!

Unlike other nursing professions like RNs, CNAs don’t require a college degree. They do, however, need a high school diploma or GED, as well as extra nursing training. So where can you find these types of nursing programs? Thankfully, CNA programs are extremely accessible and can be found in most community colleges, trade schools, and medical facilities, so you have options on where you want to learn. Pro tip: make sure the CNA program you’re considering is approved by the state’s nursing board and by the National League for Nursing Accredited Commission.

After completing CNA training in an accredited nursing program, it’s time to take the aforementioned certification exam.

There are two parts — a written section and a practical demonstration. First, you’ll have 90 minutes to take the written exam, including a series of multiple-choice questions. Then you’ll have 30 minutes with a test proctor to demonstrate your clinical skills and competency. Don’t worry — the certification exam may sound intimidating, but it’s got nothing on you.

Like what you’re reading? You may also like: The Difference Between an LPN and CNA

CNA job outlook

Becoming a professional certified nursing assistant is a great career move for present you and for future you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for CNAs from 2020 to 2030 is projected to grow by 8%, which is just a smidge faster than the average job growth. Within that time, the BLS predicts about 192,800 CNA job openings to become available. So, props to you — now is the perfect time to jump into the CNA action.

Luckily, there will always be a large need for health care in our community, so CNA jobs aren’t going anywhere. Plus, with the nationwide nursing shortage in full swing, CNAs are even more in demand and that growth shows no signs of stopping.

CNA pay breakdown by state

How much do CNAs make? It depends where you're located. These are the states that pay CNAs the most for their skills! (If you’ve ever wanted to work as a travel CNA in Hawaii or find travel CNA jobs in Alaska, we’ve got great news.)

Check out the states where you can make the most as a CNA — and remember, travel CNAs usually make more than their perm staff counterparts.

Rank	State	Average CNA yearly salary	CNA state requirements
1	Hawaii	$45,187	Become a CNA in Hawaii
2	Alaska	$42,735	Become a CNA in Alaska
3	Vermont	$40,762	Become a CNA in Vermont
4	Maine	$38,575	Become a CNA in Maine
5	New Hampshire	$37,696	Become a CNA in New Hampshire
6	Massachusetts	$36,900	Become a CNA in Massachusetts
7	Washington	$36,232	Become a CNA in Washington
8	Oregon	$35,586	Become a CNA in Oregon
9	New York	$35,585	Become a CNA in New York
10	Rhode Island	$35,490	Become a CNA in Rhode Island
11	New Jersey	$35,230	Become a CNA in New Jersey
12	Connecticut	$34,189	Become a CNA in Connecticut
13	California	$34,156	Become a CNA in California
14	Delaware	$33,587	Become a CNA in Delaware
15	Pennsylvania	$33,411	Become a CNA in Pennsylvania
16	Nevada	$33,337	Become a CNA in Nevada
17	Minnesota	$32,324	Become a CNA in Minnesota
18	Wisconsin	$32,207	Become a CNA in Wisconsin
19	North Dakota	$32,143	Become a CNA in North Dakota
20	Wyoming	$31,858	Become a CNA in Wyoming
21	New Mexico	$31,749	Become a CNA in New Mexico
22	Michigan	$31,632	Become a CNA in Michigan
23	Illinois	$31,442	Become a CNA in Illinois
24	Arizona	$31,418	Become a CNA in Arizona
25	Maryland	$31,174	Become a CNA in Maryland
26	Montana	$31,162	Become a CNA in Montana
27	Virginia	$30,998	Become a CNA in Virginia
28	Indiana	$30,924	Become a CNA in Indiana
29	Idaho	$30,836	Become a CNA in Idaho
30	Ohio	$30,710	Become a CNA in Ohio
31	Colorado	$30,603	Become a CNA in Colorado
32	Utah	$30,522	Become a CNA in Utah
33	South Dakota	$29,933	Become a CNA in South Dakota
34	Nebraska	$29,669	Become a CNA in Nebraska
35	Iowa	$29,614	Become a CNA in Iowa
36	Kansas	$29,224	Become a CNA in Kansas
37	Kentucky	$29,208	Become a CNA in Kentucky
38	Missouri	$29,187	Become a CNA in Missouri
39	West Virginia	$29,142	Become a CNA in West Virginia
40	Oklahoma	$28,851	Become a CNA in Oklahoma
41	Alabama	$27,943	Become a CNA in Alabama
42	North Carolina	$27,842	Become a CNA in North Carolina
43	Tennessee	$27,747	Become a CNA in Tennessee
44	Florida	$27,476	Become a CNA in Florida
45	Texas	$27,265	Become a CNA in Texas
46	Arkansas	$26,863	Become a CNA in Arkansas
47	Georgia	$26,394	Become a CNA in Georgia
48	South Carolina	$25,978	Become a CNA in South Carolina
49	Louisiana	$25,719	Become a CNA in Louisiana
50	Mississippi	$25,164	Become a CNA in Mississippi

A career as a traveling certified nursing assistant will leave you with warm, fuzzy feelings because you know you make a positive difference in the lives of others. As a cherry on top, being a CNA can also help bring money in the bank, especially in Hawaii and Alaska — aka the top two states you can make the most as a CNA. The next time you embark on a travel adventure, use this guide to help decide where to go next for a travel CNA job.