Career comparison
Certified Nursing Assistant vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Registered nurses earn more at the median ($97,550 vs. $42,260), while certified nursing assistants usually get to work faster (4–12 weeks of training). Certified nursing assistants provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Certified Nursing Assistant | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $42,260 ($20.32/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,940 – $51,980 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 196,200 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4–12 weeks | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | State CNA certification | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | CNAs work mainly in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, assisted living and home health. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
What each job does
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Help patients bathe, dress, groom, eat and use the toilet
- Turn, reposition and transfer patients safely
- Measure and record vital signs, intake and output
- Observe and report changes in condition, skin or behavior to the nurse
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds and keep rooms clean and safe
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose certified nursing assistant if…
- I’m comfortable helping people bathe and use the bathroom
- I have the physical stamina to lift, turn and walk all shift
- I’m patient with older adults and people with dementia
Choose registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Certified Nursing Assistant fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, certified nursing assistant or registered nurse?
Registered Nurses earn more at the median: $97,550 versus $42,260 for certified nursing assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Certified Nursing Assistants typically train faster (4–12 weeks) than registered nurses (2–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.6% for certified nursing assistants.