Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.
Nursing Assistants
SOC: 31-1131 O*NET: 31-1131.00
Median Salary
$39,530
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
204.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.
What does a Nursing Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,260
25th percentile
Median
$39,530
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,070
75th percentile
Top Earners
$50,140
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,390
25th
$36,260
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,530
Mean: $41,270
75th
$46,070
90th
$50,140
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $18,750 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,260 and $46,070
- •Salary spread is 24.8% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 1,388,430 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,441,500
Top Industries
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities47.2%
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)35.4%
Hospitals28.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.3%
Annual Openings:204,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,441,500
Current
2034 (Projected)1,474,000
+2.3%
+32,600
Employment Change
+2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Nursing Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
102,380 jobs$46,4200.63x
Florida
91,280 jobs$36,8501.03x
Texas
87,050 jobs$36,3900.70x
New York
85,310 jobs$47,3900.99x
Pennsylvania
65,410 jobs$41,1101.21x
Illinois
64,660 jobs$44,7501.18x
Ohio
62,360 jobs$38,5701.25x
North Carolina
61,280 jobs$37,6701.39x
Virginia
42,760 jobs$38,7901.17x
Georgia
42,460 jobs$36,5700.97x
Michigan
40,230 jobs$38,9001.02x
Massachusetts
38,280 jobs$45,4101.17x
Missouri
32,650 jobs$37,1701.24x
New Jersey
31,310 jobs$44,9100.82x
Indiana
31,240 jobs$37,3301.09x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Active Listening
92%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
82%
#4
Monitoring
74%
#5
Speaking
66%
#6
Reading Comprehension
58%
#7
Critical Thinking
48%
#8
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.6
92%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.1
82%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.9
58%
Critical Thinking
basic2.4
48%
Coordination
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Bus Drivers, School89%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers89%
5 shared skills
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping89%
5 shared skills
Musicians and Singers88%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses80%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Nursing Assistants
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Apache Spark
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Apache Spark
Microsoft Outlook
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (12)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Change bed linens or make beds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Nursing Assistants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Nursing Assistants professionals typically have a SRC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Nursing Assistants
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.73
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.61
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.60
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.47
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.47
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.45
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Social Orientation
4.3
Initiative
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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