Nevada — The Silver State
Nevada CNAs earn $43,420/year — top 5% nationally for CNA wages. Programs start under $600 at Truckee Meadows CC in Reno. 7,730 CNAs employed statewide with 11% job growth projected. The Silver State pays well and needs you.
Nevada's healthcare sector is growing fast — driven by a rapidly expanding population, a large senior community, and consistent demand for direct care workers across Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, and rural counties. Nevada ranks in the top 5% nationally for CNA wages, averaging $20.29/hr ($43,420/year) — significantly above the national average. With a 75-hour program minimum and approximately 30 state-approved programs concentrated in Clark County (Las Vegas metro) and Washoe County (Reno), getting certified in Nevada is straightforward and well worth the investment.
Program costs & details
Nevada requires a minimum of 75 training hours including at least 16 hours of clinical hands-on training. Programs are concentrated in Las Vegas (Clark County) and Reno (Washoe County), with Great Basin College serving rural Nevada. Most programs complete in 4–8 weeks. Apply to the Nevada Nurse Portal within one year of completing training or you may need to retrain.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) | Reno | ~$500 (lab fees & tuition) | 6 weeks | In-person — campus-based, 6 credit hours |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) | Las Vegas / Henderson / North Las Vegas | ~$900–$1,200 | ~6 weeks | In-person — Certificate of Achievement, mandatory orientation |
| UNLV (Perry Foundation) | Las Vegas | ~$2,650 (most affordable with listed price) | Varies | Hybrid — online coursework + in-person clinical rotations |
| Great Basin College (GBC) | Elko / Winnemucca / Battle Mountain (rural NV) | ~$800–$1,200 | 6 weeks | In-person — serves rural northern Nevada |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) | Carson City / Fallon | ~$800–$1,200 | 6 weeks | In-person — western Nevada corridor |
| Private CNA Schools (Pima, Milan & others) | Las Vegas metro | ~$1,200–$2,500+ | 4–6 weeks | In-person accelerated — flexible scheduling |
| Employer-Sponsored Programs | Statewide | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job training at nursing homes & hospitals |
Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno offers 6 credit hours of CNA training for approximately $500 in lab fees and tuition — the most affordable community college option in Nevada. Add the registry application fee ($50), fingerprint processing ($51.25), and the Credentia exam fee ($120) and you're looking at under $725 total for full Nevada CNA certification. TMCC feeds directly into their nursing programs as well, making it an ideal launching pad for the full CNA → LPN → RN pathway in northern Nevada.
Nevada's CNA competency exam is administered by Credentia — not Prometric, Headmaster, or TMU. Register and schedule through the Nevada Nurse Portal at nevadanursingboard.org. Testing centers in Reno, Las Vegas, and Elko. Submit your CNA application within one year of completing training or you may need to retrain — don't let this window lapse. Certification is valid for 2 years and requires documented paid CNA work for renewal.
2026 salary data
Nevada CNAs average $20.29/hr ($43,420/year) statewide — well above the national average. The Las Vegas metro averages $19.90/hr and Reno averages $19.69/hr per BLS data. Evening and weekend shifts add $1–$3/hr, and agency work reaches $20–$30/hr. Nevada's no state income tax further boosts take-home pay.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas / Henderson | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,520–$49,920 | BLS metro avg $19.90/hr — largest NV CNA market, most jobs |
| North Las Vegas | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,520–$47,840 | Valley Health System & Sunrise Health hub — lower COL than Henderson |
| Reno / Sparks | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,520–$47,840 | BLS metro avg $19.69/hr — Renown Health, Northern Nevada Medical Center |
| Carson City | $18–$22/hr | ~$37,440–$45,760 | Carson Tahoe Health, state capital — steady government-adjacent market |
| Elko / Rural Northern NV | $18–$22/hr | ~$37,440–$45,760 | Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital — lower competition, faster hire |
| Agency / Per Diem (statewide) | $20–$30/hr | ~$41,600–$62,400 | Variable scheduling, higher hourly rate — good for experienced CNAs |
| Evening/Weekend Shift Differential | +$1–$3/hr above base | +$2,000–$6,000/yr | Most Nevada facilities offer significant shift differentials |
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2023, CNAClasses.com (2026), TopNursing.org. No Nevada state income tax increases real take-home. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Nevada LPN programs run 12 months and the median LPN salary is $60,490/year — a strong jump from CNA wages. CSN in Las Vegas and TMCC in Reno are the two largest state-approved LPN programs. Nevada's no-state-income-tax advantage applies to LPN wages too.
75 hours minimum, 16 clinical. Credentia exam. Nevada Nurse Portal application within 1 year. 4–8 weeks. TMCC ~$500 cheapest option.
CSN Las Vegas and TMCC Reno — two largest approved programs. Northwest Career College (hybrid option). ~12 months. Median NV LPN salary: $60,490/year.
CSN ADN program, UNLV, Nevada State College, Roseman University all offer nursing programs. No state income tax on NV RN salary of $85,000+/year.
For moms in Nevada