How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland
Maryland employs approximately 27,720 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,240 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 Maryland, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Maryland? Maryland requires credentials such as NURSE, NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR, NURSING AIDES, ORDERLIES, AND ATTENDENTS. The licensing authority is the Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland 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 Maryland? Yes. Maryland has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Maryland is $43,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,060 and experienced professionals can earn $49,330 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: Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Maryland): $43,240 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Maryland
The Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Maryland 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| NURSE | |
| NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR | |
| NURSING AIDES, ORDERLIES, AND ATTENDENTS | |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | |
| HOME CARE AIDES |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Maryland vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 30,680 | $46,220 | $45,820 | $38,600 | $49,860 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 25,520 | $45,730 | $45,130 | $36,060 | $55,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 13,580 | $42,770 | $42,630 | $35,180 | $47,940 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 970 | $41,870 | $43,140 | $36,570 | $54,310 |
| Salisbury | 830 | $38,740 | $40,520 | $35,340 | $46,330 |
| Lexington Park | 620 | $44,270 | $47,410 | $37,540 | $59,730 |
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 Maryland
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Maryland according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 13,580 | $42,770 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 970 | $41,870 |
| Salisbury | 830 | $38,740 |
| Lexington Park | 620 | $44,270 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 27,720 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 Maryland with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Maryland is $43,240, which is $3,710 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Maryland Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |