CA · Modesto · Updated October 15, 2026

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Modesto, CA

Certified Nursing Assistants in the Modesto area earn a median of $21.96 per hour, about $45,680 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $19.69 and $22.76. That ranks 46th of 380 U.S. metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay, and 61st of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Modesto. The free report below lists employers near Modesto and what they pay.

More open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Modesto

4 more open roles from employers in Modesto. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Modesto, CA

The metro median is 2% below the California statewide median of $22.32 per hour. Nationally the median is $19.01 per hour. BLS counts about 1,370 nursing assistants employed in the Modesto metro area, 7.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.78).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$18.04$37,5205% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$19.69$40,9604% above U.S. median
Median$21.96$45,68016% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.76$47,34020% above U.S. median
Top 10%$27.04$56,24042% above U.S. median

How Modesto ranks

  • 46th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 61st of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 12th of 24 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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Named employers near Modesto, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Modesto

  • Overall prices in Modesto run 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $21.96 median hour buys what $21.09 buys at the national price level, 11% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Modesto paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$791
  • Per year: $39,528
  • Per month: $3,294

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Modesto metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Modesto

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel certified nursing assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Modesto as they open.

PermanentPosted today

Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration · Menlo Park, CA

$48k–$79k/ year
  • Full time
  • Req 888812100
Top 25% payNew this week
View role
PermanentPosted today

CNA

CommonSpirit Health · San Bernardino, CA

$25.00–$28.02/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req 100366275264
New this week
View role

All Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in California

Certified Nursing Assistant salary in California

Hospitals in Modesto

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of certified nursing assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Memorial Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Doctors Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careFor-profit1 of 5Yes
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Stanislaus County

HRSA lists 5 active primary care shortage designations that include Stanislaus County (2 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 16 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Turlock, CA12 mi$21.96/hr72,888
Manteca, CA16 mi$21.51/hr94,292
Tracy, CA25 mi$21.51/hr100,136
Stockton, CA29 mi$21.51/hr324,975
Merced, CA37 mi$21.17/hr96,073
Lodi, CA37 mi$21.51/hr68,642

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in California · Certified Nursing Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Modesto

Modesto city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Modesto, CA?

Certified Nursing Assistants in the Modesto metro area have a median pay of $21.96 per hour, about $45,680 a year. The middle half earn between $19.69 and $22.76 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Modesto a good place for certified nursing assistants once cost of living is counted?

Modesto ranks 61st of 341 metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 46th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Where do certified nursing assistants work in Modesto?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, led by Memorial Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Modesto as a certified nursing assistant?

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Modesto in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 5 active primary care shortage designations that include Stanislaus County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Modesto?

The federal per diem benchmark in Modesto is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place certified nursing assistants in Modesto?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Modesto and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Modesto.

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What do employers near Modesto pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · CNA near Modesto, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CNA pay reportModesto, CA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • El Camino HealthMountain View, CA · 2 postings$41.49/ hr$37–$46
  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34
  • Fresenius Medical CareSan Francisco, CA · 4 postings$28.00/ hr$25–$35
  • CommonSpirit HealthGlendale, CA · 8 postings$27.89/ hr$25–$33

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$23Median$27.17High$32

83 CNA postings with published pay in California, 79 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 83 CNA roles

  1. Transporter/Patient Care AssistantPer diem
    $29.41–$33.04/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Folsom, CA · posted today
  2. Nursing AssistantPermanent
    $48k–$79k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · Menlo Park, CA · posted today

+ 81 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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