A Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) makes an average yearly salary of $28,540, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a reported salary range from $19,000 and goes up to $42,000 according to PayScale. However, the skills you bring to the table have a big impact on how much money you can make as a CNA and focusing on the top paying skills can help you get a higher salary. In addition to skills, there are also certain locations where CNAs make a higher average salary if you’re willing to relocate or lucky enough to already live in one of these areas.
Here are 5 of the top paying skills for CNAs and the cities where you can make the most money.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
The ICU houses patients in critical condition, or who need constant monitoring, which means it can be a fast paced and high stress environment. Oftentimes patients in the ICU are in critical or and life threatening conditions, and need close care and monitoring to ensure they return to a stable condition. You will most likely help transfer patients, tend to the patients care needs, and read vital signs.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a CNA with ICU skills is $29,479, with a reported range of $20,000 to $47,000 per year. Denver is where CNAs with ICU skills can expect to make the most money, with Los Angeles and Las Vegas next in line.
Find ICU nurse assistant jobs on Monster.
Operating Room
Working in the OR can give you great experience as a CNA that may also translate to a higher yearly salary. CNAs who have OR skills will generally assist with prepping patients for surgery, transporting patients to the operating room, setting up equipment, and getting the room ready for the next patient.
According to PayScale, the average salary for CNAs with OR skills is $30,521 per year, with a reported range of $18,000 to $45,000. CNAs with OR skills can make the most money in Chicago, followed by Las Vegas and Nashville.
Find operating room nurse assistant jobs on Monster.
Telemetry
In a health care setting, telemetry is the monitoring of a patient’s vital signs using different medical equipment. Generally, patients who need to be monitored have acute diagnoses, such as heart failure or diabetes. CNAs who are experienced working with this equipment and reading diagnostics from machines can bump up their yearly pay.
According to PayScale, the average salary for CNAs with telemetry skills is $30,902 per year, with a reported salary range of $20,000 to $41,000. CNAs with telemetry skills make the most money in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Denver.
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Find telemetry nurse assistant jobs on Monster.
Emergency Room
The ER can be a hectic environment, with potentially stressful shifts depending on how many people head to the ER that day. CNAs who work in an ER and have experience working in this fast paced environment can earn a higher salary with their skills. You will most likely take patients vital signs, draw blood, transfer patients, and prep the rooms for incoming patients.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a CNA with ER skills is $29,225 per year, with a reported salary range of $20,000 to $45,000. CNAs with ER skills make the most in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
Find ER nurse assistant jobs on Monster.
Medicine and Surgery
Having experience working as a CNA in a medical and surgical setting can help boost your salary. CNAs in a medical and surgical setting are responsible for helping out with a patient’s needs in between medical procedures or surgeries. As a CNA you can easily add this skill to your resume either on the job or while you are training to become a CNA.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a CNA with medicine and surgery skills is $29,159, with a reported yearly salary range of $20,000 to $40,000. Medicine and surgery skills net the highest pay in Las Vegas, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Find all Certified Nurse Assistant jobs on Monster.
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