How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Hawaii
Hawaii employs approximately 5,050 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,350 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 Hawaii, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Hawaii
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Hawaii? Hawaii requires credentials such as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Aide. The licensing authority is the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - 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 Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Hawaii is $45,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,000 and experienced professionals can earn $52,660 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: Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Hawaii): $45,350 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Hawaii
The Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Hawaii 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a licensed registered nurse with advanced education and training in a specialized field of nursing. |
| Registered Nurse | DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: A Registered Nurse (RN) administers nursing care to ill or injured persons and promotes wellness education. Specific duties vary with the work setting. |
| Nurse Aide | DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: A Nurse Aide provides basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties, such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: A Nursing Home Administrator is in charge of the general administration of a nursing home or immediate care facility. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) cares for ill, injured, convalescent, and handicapped persons in all settings including, but not limited to hospitals, clinics, private home… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Hawaii vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 3,770 | $45,260 | $45,390 | $35,990 | $52,660 |
| Kahului-Wailuku | 330 | $47,630 | $46,850 | $39,260 | $56,830 |
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 Hawaii
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Hawaii according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 3,770 | $45,260 |
| Kahului-Wailuku | 330 | $47,630 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 5,050 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 Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Hawaii.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Hawaii is $45,350, which is $5,820 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |