CNA Salary in Orlando and Florida (2026): What BLS Reports
Oct 27, 2026
Updated October 2026. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
Quick answer: In May 2025, the median CNA (nursing assistant) in Florida earned $18.03 an hour, or $37,510 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the Orlando area the median was $18.12 an hour ($37,690 a year), and nationally it was $20.32 an hour ($42,260). Pay depends on the employer, the shift and your experience.
Working in the healthcare industry, especially within patient-facing roles, is a rewarding career path. One of the many healthcare roles is that of a nursing assistant. A certified nursing assistant, CNA for short, is the caregiver to their patients.
They're the ones that get up close and develop a personal, working relationship of care for those that need it. As part of the workforce that operates as the first line of treatment, they're critical to the healthcare industry.
If you're considering a career as a certified nursing assistant and need to know the salary in Orlando, Fl, then you're on the right page.
What is the CNA salary range in Orlando?
In May 2025, nursing assistants in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area earned a median of $18.12 per hour ($37,690 per year), and the average (mean) was $18.70 per hour ($38,900 per year). Florida’s median was $18.03 per hour ($37,510 per year), and the national median was $20.32 per hour ($42,260), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The middle 50% of Orlando nursing assistants earned between $17.31 and $18.72 per hour ($36,000 to $38,930 per year). The lowest 10% earned $16.72 per hour or less ($34,780 per year) and the top 10% earned $22.29 per hour or more ($46,350 per year). Pay also depends on experience, education and the facility: nationally, the largest employers of nursing assistants are nursing care facilities, hospitals, and assisted living and retirement communities.
| Area (May 2025) | Employment | Median hourly | Median annual | Middle 50% (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 12,000 | $18.12 | $37,690 | $36,000 to $38,930 |
| Florida | 96,960 | $18.03 | $37,510 | $36,040 to $42,310 |
| United States | 1,448,910 | $20.32 | $42,260 | $37,260 to $47,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), May 2025.
CNA pay in Florida by percentile (May 2025)
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.52 | $34,350 |
| 25th | $17.33 | $36,040 |
| Median (50th) | $18.03 | $37,510 |
| 75th | $20.34 | $42,310 |
| 90th | $22.50 | $46,790 |
| Average (mean) | $18.83 | $39,160 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), Florida, May 2025.
At the Florida median of $37,510 a year, that is about $3,126 a month before taxes (the annual figure divided by 12). Your actual monthly pay depends on your hours, shift and employer.
What factors influence CNA salaries in Orlando?
The time to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can vary depending on the individual and the program they choose. Typically, CNA training programs last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.
FHCA offers CNA exam preparation in Orlando: a self-paced Written Review ($399), a 3-day in-person Skills Review of all 22 skills ($599), or both, and you can take the Florida Nurse Aide exam at FHCA’s Prometric test site. See the CNA exam preparation page.
It's also worth examining the distinctions between medical assistants vs. CNAs, as well as home health aides vs. CNAs, in terms of their roles, responsibilities, and the potential for overtime pay.
What are the benefits of working as a CNA in Orlando?
There are many wonderful benefits that come with being a certified nursing assistant. These include:
- The flexibility of working hours
- Job stability
- Empowering and enriching work experiences
- Emotionally rewarding
- Growing job market and progression opportunities
- Every day is different from the next
Working as a nursing assistant in Orlando Fl is an opportunity that many searches for when wanting to improve their skills and hands-on experience.
While it may offer an average base salary in comparison to other states in the US, it offers an abundance of rewards in other ways too.
What are some advancement opportunities for CNAs in Orlando?
There are a number of advancement opportunities that certified nursing assistants can make in their careers. Here are a few inspirational examples to look forward to for those considering a career beyond just being a certified nursing assistant.
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Patient Care Technician
As a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, you could advance into a number of careers. These include registered nurses in critical care, family nurse practitioner, and staff nurse.
If you're interested in learning about obtaining a CNA license in Florida, we invite you to explore our article.
CNA salary vs. other healthcare jobs
How does the role of a certified nursing assistant compare to other salaries within the healthcare industry? If you're still exploring the opportunities and professions that lie within healthcare, then here are a few examples to compare a CNA to.
|
Florida, May 2025 (BLS) |
Nursing assistants |
Medical Assistants |
Home health and personal care aides |
|
Median Annual Salary |
$37,510 |
$43,680 |
$33,800 |
|
Median Hourly Wage |
$18.03 |
$21.00 |
$16.25 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, Florida medians for Nursing Assistants (31-1131), Medical Assistants (31-9092) and Home Health and Personal Care Aides (31-1120).
CNA salary FAQs
BLS does not publish pay by certification, so there is no official figure for how much extra training adds. What Florida does require is that CNAs complete 24 hours of in-service training every two years to renew their certification (see the Florida Board of Nursing). If you are preparing for the exam, FHCA offers CNA exam preparation in Orlando.
In May 2025, the median CNA (nursing assistant) pay in Orlando was $18.12 per hour, or $37,690 per year, and the average was $18.70 per hour, or $38,900 per year (BLS).
