Career Profile

Nursing Assistants

Education HS diploma or less
This is the typical education required for an entry-level position.
Earnings $30,500
This is the typical median salary earned for an entry-level position.

Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.

General Information

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. Excludes Home Health Aides (31-1121), Personal Care Aides (31-1122), Orderlies (31-1132), and Psychiatric Aides (31-1133).

Nursing Assistants

Occupational Outlook

For the Rural Capital Area

358

Job Opportunities

Over the next five years, an average of 358 openings per year are projected for Nursing Assistants.

+13.4%

Employment Change

Employment for Nursing Assistants is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 13.4% between 2023 and 2028.

$14.64

Earnings Potential

An average worker in this occupation is paid $14.64/hour. Entry level workers are paid $13.38, while experienced workers are paid $16.34. The median wage is below average regional wages across occupations.

Local Employment Opportunities

There are 1,828 Nursing Assistants in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 2,073.

Top 5 Employing Industries, Locally

The top industries employing Nursing Assistants are Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly.

Knowledge Areas

The top most significant knowledge categories for Nursing Assistants include Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, and English Language.

Educational Attainment Patterns

The most common level of education for Nursing Assistants is HS diploma or less. 29% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.

Sources: BLS   JobsEQ®   ONET