Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in New York (2026)

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in New York

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in New York, you must complete a state-approved training program of at least 100 hours, including a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. After completing the training and an additional online course on affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, you must pass the Prometric CNA Exam, which includes a written and a skills portion. Certification must be renewed every two years, requiring proof of at least 7-8 hours of paid CNA work within the preceding 24 months and 12 hours of continuing education annually. New York offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other U.S. states or territories.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Requirements in New York

Detail	New York
Licensing Body	New York State Department of Health
State License Required	Yes
Education	Minimum 100 hours of state-approved training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. Some programs may require up to 120-160 hours total. An additional online training program, "Affirming Care for Older LGBTQIA+ Individuals Training," is also required.
Exam	Prometric CNA Exam ($115)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing Education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age to begin training is 16, and 17 to take the state certification exam. Candidates must pass a criminal background check. Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 7-8 hours in the past 24 months. Some sources indicate 6 hours of in-service education every six months (12 hours annually).

Source: New York State Department of Health

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in New York

The median certified nursing assistant salary in New York is $47,390 per year, which is 19.9% above the national median of $39,530.

Percentile	Annual Salary
10th (entry level)	$37,480
25th	$41,010
50th (median)	$47,390
75th	$50,720
90th (experienced)	$59,240

New York employs approximately 85,310 certified nursing assistants.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Job Outlook

10-Year Growth

+2.3%

Average

Annual Openings

204.1

Nationwide per year

Total Employment

1,441.5

Nationwide

Is Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in New York Worth It?

Factors to consider: New York's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's required to work as a certified nursing assistant in New York?

To become a certified nursing assistant in New York, you need to complete the required education (Minimum 100 hours of state-approved training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. Some programs may require up to 120-160 hours total. An additional online training program, "Affirming Care for Older LGBTQIA+ Individuals Training," is also required.), and pass the Prometric CNA Exam.

Is a certified nursing assistant license required in New York?

New York mandates state licensure for certified nursing assistants. New York State Department of Health oversees the process, which includes passing the Prometric CNA Exam.

How much do certified nursing assistants make in New York?

In New York, the median pay for certified nursing assistants comes to $47,390/year. That's 20% above the national median of $39,530. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,480, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $59,240.

What's the total cost to get certified nursing assistant certified in New York?

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($115) and required training.

How quickly can I become a certified nursing assistant in New York?

Most candidates in New York complete the process in 4-15 weeks, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does New York require continuing education for certified nursing assistants?

License renewal in New York requires completing 12.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.