Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Nursing Assistants currently employed in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is 1,040.
  • Nursing Assistants in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara earn an average of $38,990 per year or $18.74 per hour.
  • The percentage of California Nursing Assistants who work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Nursing Assistants who work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is less than 1%.

Rankings for Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

  • Ranks #9 in California for salary and #8 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #13 in California for the number of nurses employed.
  • Ranks #16 in the nation for salary and #12 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #274 in the nation for the number of nurses employed.

Compared to California

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Nursing Assistants earn an average of $38,990 or $18.74 per hour which is 1% less than the California average salary of $39,760.

AverageSanta Maria-Santa BarbaraCalifornia% Difference
Hourly Wage$18.74$19.12-1.99%
Annual Salary$38,990$39,760-1.94%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Nursing Assistants earn an average of $38,990 or $18.74 per hour which is 17% more than the U.S. average salary of $33,250.

AverageSanta Maria-Santa BarbaraU.S.%
Hourly Wage$18.74$15.9917.20%
Annual Salary$38,990$33,25017.26%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Nursing Assistants in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara earns an average annual salary of $35,439 which compares to the California average annual salary of $39,760. per year.

Cost-of-living in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is 10% higher than the California average, which means Santa Maria-Santa Barbara residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to California average.

  • California average salary is $39,760.
  • California cost-of-living adjusted salary is $36,021.
  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara average salary is $38,990.
  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara cost-of-living adjusted salary is $35,439.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$38,990110.02%$35,439
California$39,760110.38%$36,021
U.S.$33,250$33,250
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 50% of Nursing Assistants earn between $36,360 and $44,710 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Nursing Assistants earn more than $47,430, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Nursing Assistants.

Approximately 10% of Nursing Assistants earn under $30,240, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Nursing Assistants.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year104Under $30,240
15%2 – 4 years156$30,240 – $36,360
25%5 – 9 years260$36,360 – $37,460
25%10 – 14 years260$37,460 – $44,710
15%15 – 20 years156$37,460 – $47,430
10%20+ years104Above $47,430
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $38,990, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Nursing Assistants tend to earn less than Nurse Practitioners ($133,060), Registered Nurses ($100,770), and LPNs ($62,000).

TitleAnnual Salary
Nurse Practitioners$133,060
Registered Nurses$100,770
LPNs$62,000
Nursing Assistants$38,990
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Nursing Assistants

The number of Nursing Assistants currently employed in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is 1,040.

Nursing Assistants earn an average of $38,990 per year or $18.74 per hour in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Nursing Assistants earn an average of $35,439 per year or $17 per hour.

The types of nurses that are paid the highest annual salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara are Nurse Practitioners($133,060), Registered Nurses($100,770), LPNs($62,000).


Additional Salary Reports for Nursing Assistants in California cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Nursing Assistants: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data