How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Arizona
Arizona employs approximately 20,320 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,780 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Arizona
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA). The licensing authority is the Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Arizona is $44,780 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,100 and experienced professionals can earn $57,820 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Arizona): $44,780 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Arizona
The Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Arizona 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Reference: ARS 32-1645 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | Reference: AAC R4-19-501 |
| Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) | Reference: ARS 32-1645 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | Reference: AAC R4-19-501 |
| Registered Nurse | Reference: ARS 32-1632 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Reference: ARS 32-1637 |
| Registered Nurse Practitioner | Reference: AAC R4-19-501 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | Reference: AAC R4-19-501 |
| Nursing Care Institution Administrator | Reference: ARS 36-446.04 |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 13,550 | $45,290 | $45,270 | $37,280 | $59,040 |
| Tucson | 3,500 | $42,560 | $43,980 | $35,270 | $56,560 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 690 | $45,180 | $45,950 | $38,370 | $58,370 |
| Flagstaff | 500 | $44,580 | $46,200 | $37,900 | $58,780 |
| Yuma | 500 | $37,860 | $41,170 | $36,170 | $47,240 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 490 | $43,140 | $43,130 | $37,100 | $54,710 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 220 | $39,260 | $41,080 | $34,770 | $45,450 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Arizona
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Arizona according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 13,550 | $45,290 |
| Tucson | 3,500 | $42,560 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 690 | $45,180 |
| Flagstaff | 500 | $44,580 |
| Yuma | 500 | $37,860 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 20,320 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Arizona is $44,780, which is $5,250 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.azbn.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |