How Much Does a Nursing Assistant Make?

How Much Does a Nursing Assistant Make? Salary and Job Outlook in the UK!

Feeling unsure about whether a nursing assistant job can provide a stable income? Wondering if you can meet your financial …

User Icon Nicole Turner
Calendar Icon November 27, 2024

Feeling unsure about whether a nursing assistant job can provide a stable income? Wondering if you can meet your financial needs and career goals as a CNA? Let us help you find clarity.

Well, CNAs can make an average annual salary of around £23,716 per year according to the latest data. It will be £12.16 in hourly rate. Moreover, the demand for CNAs is also increasing. So you can enjoy job stability and career growth opportunities in this field. 

Hence, you don’t have to worry about the CNA’s job security anymore! However, in today’s guide, we’ll discuss every pinpoint about the CNA salary and job outlook. It’ll assist you to make an informed choice. Just read on!

Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma – CPD accredited online course recognised by UK employers

Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma – CPD accredited online course recognised by UK employers

How Much Does A Nursing Assistant Make?

The average annual salary for a nursing assistant is £23,716 a year according to UK.talent. This amount is approximately 

  • £12.16 in an hour
  • £456 in a week and 
  • £1,976 in a month

The data shows that the salary of CNAs can be as high as £36,95 and can be as low as £21,615 per year

The comprehensive salary range is shown in the below table.

Average annual salary for a nursing assistant

Average Certified Nursing Assistant Salary: Factors That Matter!

Well, the salary for a certified nursing assistant mentioned above is not set in stone. It can vary greatly depending on several factors. 

You can get an idea about it in the section below. 

1. Experience 

In a CNA career, your years of experience in this field directly affect your salary range. You can ultimately expect to earn more in case you have more years of experience than the others who are just starting out their career. The report says a nursing assistant with 1 to 3 years of experience earns on average £23,795. On the other hand, a senior nursing assistant with more than 8 years’ experience earns £26,910. On average in a year. 

2. Employer Type 

Generally, you can expect to get a higher salary for a CNA job in hospitals or specialty clinics. However, the salaries can be a little less in home healthcare settings or care facilities. Actually, different types of employers offer different benefit packages and salaries. 

For instance, NHS. They offer a more standardized pay scale compared to the healthcare providers. In the UK, the average NHS Nursing Assistant yearly pay is around £23,627. You know it is 11% above the national average.

That means a nursing assistant working in an NHS hospital can expect to earn more than a nursing assistant working in a private care home. 

3. Location

Like the experience and employer type, your living city or state also greatly impacts your salary as a CNA. Typically, urban states or areas pay more to the CNAs than those in the rural areas or lower-cost regions. 

For instance, if you are living in a city like Leicestershire, you will earn higher than the smaller towns. 

You can check out the highest-paying cities and states for nursing assistant jobs in the below tables.

Top 10 Highest paying locations for nursing assistant jobs in the UK

Location 

Hourly pay

Monthly pay

Annual salary

Highest pay 

Lowest pay 

North West Leicestershire

£210.47 

£35,500

£426,000

£426,000

£426,000

North Dorset, Dorset

£109.26

£18,428

£221,134

£290,363

£59,009

Pepperstock, Bedfordshire

£72.3

£12,195

£146,335

£146,335

£140,209

Stanmer, East Sussex

£59.77 

£10,080

£120,964

£151,610

£24,184

Newquay, Cornwall

£56.35

£9,504

£114,047

£166,718

£46,996

Test Valley, Hampshire

£48.58 

£8,194

£98,327

£201,113

£25,151

Wolsingham, County Durham

£47.5

£8,012

£96,140

£96,140

£96,140

Failsworth, Greater Manchester

£45.81

£7,727

£92,722

£148,171

£26,543

Coalville, Leicestershire

£44.7 

£7,540

£90,479

£96,954

£24,972

Sewerby, East Yorkshire

£40 

£6,747

£80,960

£80,960

£80,960

 

Average salary for nursing assistant per region 

Region 

Average Salary 

Highest Pay

Lowest Pay 

Bermuda

£60,720

£60,720

£60,720

Guernsey

£47,609

£66,960

£32,688

Northern Ireland

£46,360

£64,561

£32,707

Isle of Man

£45,335

£71,872

£22,733

Remote

£38,677

£49,818

£31,405

Scotland

£36,360

£61,267

£23,801

England

£33,399

£33,399

£27,008

Channel Islands

£33,234

£34,932

£32,266

Jersey

£31,849

£31,849

£31,849

Gibraltar

£30,033

£35,762

£24,304

Wales

£26,035

£27,839

£21,984

 

4. Certifications and Education 

When you obtain additional CNA certification or advance your education, you can earn higher and go further with this career. 

You can be qualified with more specialized roles and greater responsibility through certification like RN or NP. It will place your career with increased pay. 

You can also check it out by yourself below. 

Median Annual Salary

 

5. Demand in the Job Market

How much you can earn in the CNA job will also depend on the demand in the job market. The regions with high demand for certified nursing assistants can offer a higher salary. 

So, you should always monitor the job market trends and stay informed about the market demand. That way you will be able to get a CNA job with better salaries!

How Do You Maximize Your CNA Earnings?

Want to maximize your salary in the CNA job? Then the below ideas can help you out. 

1. Enhance your skills 

You should enhance your skills with certification and courses. It will make you qualify for the higher paying jobs. 

2. Research industries

You can get a CNA job in a number of industries. Like

  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • Specialized fields or 
  • Rehabilitation centers

You should go through all the potential industries in your area. It will allow you to get to know the salary of different settings and get a better salary CNA job. 

3. Know your worth

You should also know your worth as a CNA. Here, you should never hesitate to ask for a higher salary based on your skills, experience, and education.

Career Growth And Employment Prospects

In the CNA career, the most attractive thing is that you can get career growth opportunities and increase your earning potential. 

All you just need to gain the specialty certification available for CNAs to advance their careers. 

You can get this certification from different organizations. What will be the requirements of education or experience to earn the certification, will totally depend on the organizations you choose. 

Below are some common CNA specialty certifications.

  • CNA II
  • Certified Alzheimer Caregiver
  • Certified Hospice 
  • Palliative Nursing Assistant
  • Certified Wound Care Associate
  • Medication Aide Certification

Job Prospects 

The demand and the employment rate are also growing for CNAs. It makes nursing assistants a secure and stable job choice in the UK. 

According to the Office of National Statistics, healthcare was the fastest growing sector in 2020 in the UK in terms of job market created. Its data says that the human health and social work sector has experienced a marked growth in job vacancies. It has 24,000 more vacancies in early 2024 than in early 2020. 

ONS data further reports that there was a 21.0% increase in the number of nursing, midwifery, and health visiting staff in Wales between 2013 and 2023. 

In fact, there will continue to be a steady demand for nursing assistants with the increased healthcare needs and aging population. 

Final Words

Well, beyond any doubt, the CNA job is very rewarding both personally and financially. 

You can expect to get a stable salary in a CNAs job. However, the salary range can differ depending on some factors. So, you have to always monitor the market trend and gain current information to get the job you are looking for. 

Moreover, you should also consider advancing your career to increase your salary potential and enhance your role. Hence, enhance your skills, stay informed, and ensure a successful CNA career.

Nursing Assistant Diploma

Are you ready to start a fulfilling career in healthcare? Enrol in our Nursing Assistant Diploma today and acquire the essential skills to deliver compassionate, patient-focused care in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary of a nursing assistant in the UK?

In the UK, you can expect to earn £23,716 per year in the CNA's job. This amount is equal to approximately £12.16 per hour. However, that’s just a rough idea. The salary range can vary. Generally, it depends on factors like the employer, location, and so on.

What is the highest-paid nursing assistant in the UK?

As the research says, the nurse consultant is the highest-paid nursing assistant job. In this job, the salary can range from about £44,000 and £104,000 per year per year. Moreover, the job market for the nurse consultants is also very active in the UK and many industries are hiring for them.

Which country in the UK pays nurse assistants the most?

Bristol is the country that pays the nurse assistant the most. Coming next to the rank are London and Kingston upon Thames. You can get an average annual salary of £74,846 per year in Bristol. Moreover, the average is £27,639 and £27,340 per year in Luxembourg and the United States respectively.

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