Nursing Assistant salary in Tucson, AZ
Nursing Assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $42,560 a year ($20.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,560 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 5% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $44,780. There are 9.0 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| 25th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Median | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| 75th percentile | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Average (mean) | $43,980 | $21.14 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,636.92 |
| Weekly | $818.46 |
| Hourly | $20.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $45,290 | 13,550 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $45,180 | 690 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $44,580 | 500 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $43,140 | 490 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $39,260 | 220 |
| Yuma, AZ | $37,860 | 500 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,760 | $18.64 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $42,560 a year, or $20.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $56,560 a year. The top 25% earn $45,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,270 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $37,960 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Tucson, AZ?
About 3,500 nursing assistants are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.