Is the Training Worth the Payoff? A Guide to CNA Income and Entry Level Medical Jobs

Making the decision to enter a healthcare field is a huge decision, and for most, the question of “which is right for me” comes down to a paycheck vs. a prep schedule. You want to help people, and you want to get paid for it. If you are considering entry level healthcare positions, one thing is for sure: the salary for a nurse assistant is smack in the middle of a very crowded field.

Some positions take years to prep for, while others can get you working in a matter of weeks. In this guide, we will explore exactly how a cna income stacks up against other popular positions to help determine just where your energy is best spent.

The Entry Level Pay Scale: A Direct Comparison

As we discuss entry level healthcare jobs, we are not discussing a single salary. The salary for a nursing assistant is greatly affected by the environment in which you are working. Are you working in a fast-paced environment or a quiet, peaceful setting? Using latest projections and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, we can determine just how salary levels compare for the most popular positions in healthcare.

Comparison of Annual Median Salaries

From this data, it is clear that the salary of medical assistant jobs is generally $4,000 to $5,000 more per year than the average salary of a nursing assistant. The “hidden cost” of this is that of education. A medical assistant spends at least as much time in school as you spend training to become a cna and earn that cna pay per hour in as little as a month of training.

Why the Salary of a Medical Assistant Often Higher?

“If we both work in a clinic, why is the salary of medical assistant jobs generally higher than that of nursing assistant jobs?” It is a question that many have asked. The difference is that of scope. A medical assistant is trained to handle “dual threat” situations. You can jump between the billing desk and the exam room. The salary is higher because of this. You are specialized in “activities of daily living” (ADLs). You are the “hands-on” expert. You make sure that the patient can get to where they need to go. You make sure that they take their medicine. You make sure that they don’t fall. The salary may be lower for this type of cna work; however, it is also more stable through economic changes.

Comparing Home Health Aide Jobs and PCA Roles

“If you want to have the least amount of training needed to get into this type of work, you might want to look into home health aide jobs or a personal care assistant salary. The advantage of this type of work is that it does not require a state license.

However, there’s a trade-off. The salary for a personal care assistant position will be at the very bottom of the pay scale because it’s not a clinical position. You’re not taking people’s vitals, etc. After investing time to get your certification, you’re essentially “unlocking” yourself into a higher pay grade. You can increase your salary by $3 to $5 per hour just by going from a home health aide to a certified position.

Exploring Entry Level Mental Health Careers

For the psychologically inclined, an entry level mental health career like a Psychiatric Technician provides a very attractive option. It also has a higher salary than the standard nursing assistant salary, a median of $42,590.

The bad news is that it requires a more demanding course of study. You’ll need to spend three semesters to earn a certificate. But if you like the behavioral aspects of medicine, the extra year of school may be worth the extra $3,000 a year. But if you want the fastest Return on Investment, the certification route is the way to go.

Pro Tip: How to Outearn the National Average

Don’t be discouraged if the median salary for a mental health career is a little on the low side. With the right job, you can earn much more than the national average of $45,000.

Shift Differentials: Most facilities will give you an extra $1 to $4 an hour for “noc” (working nights or on weekends). Working the graveyard shift can give you a higher cna salary than a medical assistant salary.

Working for the Government or a Research Hospital: Working for a Veteran’s Affairs hospital or a research hospital can give you a higher cna salary, even approaching the $50,000 a year range. These “hidden gems” may not be advertised on the big job sites, but can be found on government job sites.

Agency Work: With six months of experience, “per diem” agencies will give you a much higher cna salary, even as much as $25 to $30 an hour, since you’ll be filling a staffing emergency.

The Growth Factor: Which Job Scales Better?

When choosing between these two jobs in healthcare, it’s important to think about the “ceiling,” as opposed to the “floor.”

While the salary of a nurse assistant is rarely the ultimate goal, it is a step to something else. Most individuals use this position as a way to transition into a position as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). Most places will even pay for your schooling if you agree to work for them as you get your degree.

However, the salary of medical assistant jobs does not have this same type of growth. While it is possible to get into a position as a lead MA or even office management, it is necessary to get another degree if you want to get into another healthcare position. The salary of medical assistant jobs is not as likely to have this type of growth because of this.

FAQ: People Also Ask

Is the salary of a medical assistant position worth the additional schooling?

If you want to have a 9-to-5 office position that does not involve working on the weekends, then the salary of medical assistant jobs is worth the additional year of school. However, if you want to get into another healthcare position later on, such as a position as a Registered Nurse, then the salary of nurse assistant jobs is the way to go.

Why is the salary of home health aide jobs lower than that of other types of certified jobs?

Because home health aide jobs involve more companionship and housekeeping than medical care, the salary is lower than that of nurse assistant jobs. Because this type of position does not involve a state-mandated license and exam, it is possible to get this type of position without as much schooling. The salary of home health aide jobs is lower than that of nurse assistant jobs as a result.

What state has the highest cna pay per hour?

As per the recent data, the highest pay rates are offered by states like Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, with rates as high as over $24.00 per hour. However, remember to consider the cost of living. A high salary in Seattle does not necessarily mean you can afford as nice of a lifestyle as a moderate salary elsewhere.

Can I move from entry-level mental health jobs into nursing?

Yes. Many Psychiatric Technicians go on to nursing school. The experience you gain in de-escalation techniques, as well as mental health, is valuable in Emergency Room nursing.