Florida — The Sunshine State
Florida Adult Education centers offer CNA training for just $200–$400 — the cheapest in the state. Florida is one of the only states where you can attempt the CNA exam without formal training. 89,600 CNAs employed with accelerated growth projected through 2028.
Florida has one of the largest and most unique CNA markets in the country. With 89,600 CNAs employed and one of the highest concentrations of older adults in the US — including massive retirement communities, medical tourism, and a rapidly growing senior population — Florida's healthcare sector creates consistent, year-round demand for direct care workers. From major hospital systems in Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville to thousands of nursing homes and assisted living facilities statewide, opportunities exist in every corner of Florida. Nearly 200 AHCA-approved CNA programs operate across the state.
Florida is one of the only states in the country where you can attempt the CNA certification exam without completing a formal training program — as long as you have a high school diploma or GED, or are at least 18 years old. If you have prior healthcare experience or military medical training, this may allow you to certify faster. However: if you fail the exam three times, you must complete an AHCA-approved training program before attempting again. For most people, completing training first gives you a much better chance of passing on the first try. The hybrid (online theory + in-person clinicals) format is permitted in Florida.
Program costs & details
Florida requires 120 total training hours including 40 hours of clinical practice. Programs run 4–12 weeks depending on format. The standout cheapest option is Florida's Adult and Community Education (ACE) program — offered through public school districts at $200–$400 total including materials. Nearly 200 AHCA-approved programs operate statewide. Budget an additional $155 for Prometric + $63–$105 for fingerprinting on top of tuition.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Adult & Community Education (ACE) Centers | Public school districts statewide | $200–$400 total including materials | Varies | In-person — cheapest AHCA-approved option in Florida |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) | Jacksonville | ~$1,228 (5-week hybrid) | 5 weeks | Hybrid — online theory + in-person clinicals, evening/weekend |
| Miami Dade College | Miami / Miramar (bilingual) | $1,479 (full 120-hour program) | Varies | In-person — English/Spanish bilingual at Miami campus |
| Cambridge Institute (Orlando area) | Orlando metro | ~$1,200–$1,500 | 5 weeks (120 hours) | In-person — career services and job placement assistance |
| South Florida State College | South-central Florida (Avon Park) | ~$1,000–$1,300 | ~6 weeks | In-person — CareerSource Heartland funding available |
| Cape Coral Technical College | Cape Coral / Southwest Florida | ~$800–$1,200 | 6–8 weeks | In-person — Southwest Florida regional option |
| Employer-Sponsored (Nursing Facilities) | Statewide | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job — HCA, AdventHealth facilities statewide |
Florida's Adult and Community Education (ACE) program — offered through public school districts — provides AHCA-approved CNA training for just $200–$400 total including materials. This is by far the cheapest CNA training option in Florida. Programs are offered in most counties including Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Hillsborough (Tampa), Orange (Orlando), Duval (Jacksonville), and others. Search "[your county] Adult Education CNA program" or contact your local school district's adult education office. Seats fill fast — apply early. Add $155 Prometric exam + $63–$105 fingerprinting to your total budget.
2026 salary data
Florida CNA wages average $31,188/year ($14.99/hr) statewide — below the national average. The real income story is about facility type and shift differentials. Night/weekend shifts add $1–$3/hr. Agency and float pool positions reach $20–$22/hr. Experienced CNAs (5+ years) average $40,000+. South Florida and Orlando pay above the state average.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Employers & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boca Raton | $15–$20/hr | ~$31,200–$41,600 | Jackson Health, Baptist Health South FL, Memorial Healthcare — above state avg |
| Orlando / Central Florida | $15–$19/hr | ~$31,200–$39,520 | FHCA data: Orlando avg $33,601/yr — AdventHealth, Orlando Health hub |
| Tampa / St. Petersburg / Clearwater | $15–$19/hr | ~$31,200–$39,520 | Tampa General, BayCare Health, HCA Florida — large LTC market |
| Jacksonville | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic Florida, UF Health Jacksonville |
| West Palm Beach / Palm Beach County | $15–$20/hr | ~$31,200–$41,600 | Palm Beach Health Network — affluent senior market drives wages |
| Agency / Float Pool (statewide) | $20–$22/hr | ~$41,600–$45,760 | CNA agencies fill staffing gaps — premium rates, flexible scheduling |
| Memory Care / Hospice / Specialized | +$1–$2/hr premium | ~$33,000–$43,970 | Dementia, hospice, rehab specialization — most in-demand in FL |
Sources: ZipRecruiter (March 2026), CNAClasses.com Florida Salary Guide, FHCA Orlando data, AllNurses.com (March 2026). Night/weekend shifts add $1–$3/hr. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Florida LPN programs run 12–18 months and the median LPN salary is well above CNA wages. Working as a CNA first gives you documented patient care hours that significantly strengthen Florida nursing school applications — and many Florida employers offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN.
120 hours including 40 clinical. Prometric exam ($155). Level 2 background check ($63–$105). AHCA Florida Registry. 4–12 weeks. ACE centers from $200.
Daytona State, Indian River State, Broward College, and dozens of other FL colleges. 12–18 months. Florida LPN median salary significantly above CNA wages. CNA experience valued in admissions.
Florida has dozens of ADN and BSN programs statewide. Average FL RN salary: $78,000+/year with significant regional variation — South Florida and Tampa pay more. UF, UCF, FIU offer BSN programs.
Florida has no state income tax — one of only 9 states. This means your entire CNA paycheck is yours. A Florida CNA earning $31,188/year takes home more than a CNA earning the same amount in states with 5–7% income tax. Combined with low-cost training at ACE centers and high healthcare employment density, Florida offers one of the most accessible CNA career entry points in the South — especially for moms who need to get into the workforce fast and affordably.
For moms in Florida