CNA Certification Cost in Idaho 2026: $33K Salary, 2.2-Month Payback
CNA in Idaho: certified professionals earn $32,960/year at state-adjusted rates. Total cost $1,140. Payback: 2.2 months.
CNA in Idaho — Key Numbers
$33K
Avg Salary w/ Cert
+$6K
Annual Salary Boost
$1,140
Total Cost
2.2 mo
Payback Period
Salary data: BLS OEWS state estimates 2024. State multiplier: 91% of national average.
CNA Cost Breakdown
Exam fee
$140
Study materials
$1,000
Total upfront cost
$1,140
Salary without cert (Idaho)
$26,845/yr
Salary with CNA (Idaho)
$32,960/yr
5-year net ROI
$29K
CNA Job Market in Idaho
Idaho CNA wages at $33K ($15.85/hr) are below the national median, reflecting the state's overall healthcare wage index. The payback math still works: $1,100–$1,500 total training cost against a $6,700/year raise over personal care aide wages pays back in 2 months. Employer-sponsored training is particularly common in rural Idaho facilities that struggle to find credentialed staff. Travel CNA contracts ($25–$35/hr) are an option for Idaho-certified CNAs willing to take short-term assignments in higher-wage states — common career move for CNAs building experience before nursing school. The NNAAP exam fee in Idaho is $90–$150.