Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Homestead, FL

The Salary Picture: Where Homestead Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Homestead works on a different economic rhythm than Miami or even nearby Florida City. It’s a city of growers, service workers, and healthcare staff, and the pay for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) reflects that. The median salary for a CNA in Homestead is $37,025/year, which breaks down to about $17.8/hour. That’s a hair above the national average of $35,760/year, but the difference is in the cost of living, which we’ll get into.

The metro area, which includes Florida City and the surrounding agricultural zones, has about 163 active CNA jobs at any given time. The 10-year job growth projection is 4%, which is steady but not explosive. This isn’t a boomtown for healthcare careers; it’s a reliable, consistent market. You’re not going to see massive signing bonuses, but you will find consistent openings, especially at the larger facilities.

To understand where you fit in, let’s look at how experience changes your earning potential in this specific market. The data below is compiled from local job postings on platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, cross-referenced with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s wage data.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Estimated Hourly Rate
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$32,000 - $34,500	$15.40 - $16.60
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	$36,000 - $39,000	$17.30 - $18.75
Senior (5-10 years)	$40,000 - $43,000	$19.25 - $20.70
Expert (10+ years, specialty roles)	$44,000+	$21.15+

How does this compare to other Florida cities? It’s important to see the full picture. Homestead’s median of $37,025 is respectable for the area but falls short of major metropolitan hubs.

• Miami-Kendall: A CNA in the more affluent suburbs of Miami-Dade County can expect a median closer to $39,500 - $41,000, but the cost of living and commute are significantly higher.
• Fort Lauderdale: Salaries here are more competitive, with a median around $38,500 - $40,000, but the rental market is even more punishing than Homestead’s.
• Jacksonville: A larger metro with a lower cost of living, CNAs often see a median of $36,500, making it a slightly more affordable option for the same pay.
• Orlando: Similar to Miami, the median is higher ($38,000 - $39,000), but tourism and a larger retiree population drive demand.

The takeaway? Homestead offers a competitive local wage, but it’s not the highest in the state. Your purchasing power is what matters most, and that’s where the next section comes in.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally honest about the numbers. A $37,025 salary sounds manageable, but after taxes and the stark reality of Florida rent, your budget tightens quickly. Florida has no state income tax, which is a major plus, but federal taxes and FICA (Social Security & Medicare) still apply.

Estimated Monthly Take-Home for a Single Filer:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $3,085
• Federal Taxes (approx. 12%): -$370
• FICA (7.65%): -$236
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$2,479

Now, let’s build a realistic monthly budget for a CNA living alone in Homestead.

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,621	This is the city average. You can find cheaper, but it’s a baseline.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$180 - $220	Florida heat is a major driver of electric bills.
Groceries	$250 - $300	Homestead has lower-cost options like Milam's Market and Aldi.
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	$300 - $400	Essential. Homestead is not walkable. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	$100 - $150	If provided by employer, this cost is lower. If ACA marketplace, it's higher.
Miscellaneous (Phone, Personal)	$150 - $200
Total Estimated Expenses	$2,601 - $2,891
Monthly Surplus/Deficit	($122) to ($412)	This is a deficit.

Insider Tip: Sharing a 2-bedroom apartment can drastically change this math. A 2BR in Homestead averages $2,100, so splitting it with a roommate could bring your rent down to $1,050, creating a positive budget surplus of $300-$600. Many local CNAs, especially those starting out, live with family or have roommates.

Can they afford to buy a home? With the median home price in Homestead hovering around $350,000, it’s a steep climb on a single CNA income. A 20% down payment is $70,000. Even with an FHA loan (3.5% down, $12,250), the monthly mortgage, taxes, and insurance would likely exceed $2,000. This puts homeownership out of reach for most single CNAs earning the median salary in the near term. The path to ownership typically involves dual incomes, years of saving, or a significant career advancement.

Where the Jobs Are: Homestead's Major Employers

Homestead’s healthcare scene is anchored by a few key players. You’re not going to find a dozen major hospital systems, but you will find loyal employers with consistent turnover. Here’s where the 163 local jobs are concentrated:

1. Baptist Health South Florida (Homestead Hospital): The big one. This is a 148-bed community hospital on Krome Avenue. It’s the primary source of hospital-based CNA jobs. Hiring trends show they often post for Med-Surg, Telemetry, and Post-Surgical units. They prefer candidates with BLS (Basic Life Support) certification. Insider Tip: They have a strong internal pathway for CNAs to become Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) with a pay bump.

2. South Miami Hospital (Part of Baptist Health): While the main campus is in South Miami, they serve the entire South Dade region and have numerous outpatient clinics in the Homestead area. They are a major employer for outpatient and geriatric care CNAs.

3. Palms West Hospital (LCA Healthcare): Located just north in Royal Palm Beach, but it's a major draw for Homestead residents due to its size and specialties. Many locals commute here for higher-paying roles (often $1-2/hour more than Homestead base). They have a large ER and labor & delivery unit.

4. The Villages of Florida (Homestead): This is a large, 132-bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) and rehabilitation center. SNFs are the backbone of CNA employment in Florida. They have high turnover and constant hiring. The pace is fast, and the patient load can be heavy, but it’s excellent experience. Pay is often right at the median or slightly above.

5. Homestead Healthcare Center: A smaller, locally-owned nursing home. These facilities often offer more personalized environments but may have fewer resources for advancement. They can be a great place to start, especially if you’re new to the area.

6. Miami-Dade County Public Schools: This is a niche but important employer. CNAs can work in school clinics, especially with the growing population of medically fragile students. These jobs offer great hours (no nights/weekends) and summers off, but they are competitive and require patience.

7. Home Health Agencies (e.g., Visiting Nurse Association of South Florida): The home health market is growing. As an in-home CNA, you get more autonomy and one-on-one care, but pay can be variable (often hourly with no guaranteed hours) and you need your own reliable transportation.

Hiring Trend: Post-pandemic, there’s a slight increase in demand for CNAs with geriatric experience, given Florida’s retiree population. Facilities are also emphasizing burnout prevention, so they’re sometimes offering more consistent schedules to retain staff.

Getting Licensed in Florida

Florida’s requirements are straightforward but have specific steps. You cannot work as a CNA without being listed on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry.

The Pathway:

1. Complete a State-Approved Training Program: You must complete a minimum of 120 hours of training (80 hours in the classroom/lab, 40 hours of clinicals). In Homestead, you can find programs at:

   • Miami Dade College (Homestead Campus): Offers a reputable CNA program. Cost is around $600-$800.
   • Florida National University (South Campus): Located in nearby Hialeah, but a common choice for Homestead residents. Cost similar to MDC.
   • Private Vocational Schools: Several smaller schools operate in South Dade. Vet them carefully. Check their state approval status and pass rates. Costs can range from $700 - $1,200.

2. Pass the State Competency Exam: After completing your program, you’ll take the written (or oral) and skills exam administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $154.

3. Apply for State Licensure: Once you pass, your school submits your information to the Florida Department of Health, Nurse Aide Registry. There is no separate state license application fee for you if your school does it correctly.

Timeline: From enrollment to being on the registry can take 3-6 months. Some private schools offer accelerated programs as short as 4 weeks, but condensing 120 hours is intense.

Cost Breakdown:

• Training Program: $600 - $1,200
• State Exam Fee: $154
• Background Check (Livescan): ~$50 - $75 (Required for clinicals and employment)
• Uniforms/Supplies: $100 - $200
• Total Estimated Startup Cost: $904 - $1,629

Insider Tip: Some employers, like The Villages of Florida, have been known to offer tuition reimbursement or hire you as a trainee, where they pay for your CNA program in exchange for a 1-2 year work commitment. Always ask about this during interviews.

Best Neighborhoods for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s

Where you live drastically affects your commute, budget, and quality of life. Homestead is spread out, and traffic on US-1 (South Dixie Highway) and Krome Avenue can be a daily grind.

1. Downtown Homestead: The heart of the city. Close to Homestead Hospital and many clinics. Walkable to a few local eateries and the historic district. Older apartments and some new builds.

   • Commute: Excellent (5-10 minutes to most employers).
   • Rent Estimate: $1,450 - $1,700 for a 1BR.
   • Best For: Those who want to minimize car use and be near the action.

2. Country Walk / Southland: A large suburban area south of downtown with more single-family homes and newer apartment complexes. Very family-oriented.

   • Commute: Good (10-15 minutes to downtown, 20-25 to the far north employers).
   • Rent Estimate: $1,600 - $1,850 for a 1BR.
   • Best For: Those with families or who prefer a quieter, suburban feel.

3. Florida City: Adjacent to Homestead, often slightly more affordable. Closer to the Everglades and the entrance to the Keys. Has a more rural, small-town vibe.

   • Commute: Good to Homestead employers (10-15 minutes), longer to Miami. Be mindful of the Florida City Turnpike entrance if commuting north.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,500 for a 1BR.
   • Best For: Budget-conscious individuals who don’t mind a shorter drive to work and more open space.

4. Naranja / Redland: This is the agricultural area east of US-1. It’s more rural, with larger lots and more single-family homes. You’ll find some affordable rentals here, but it’s a longer commute.

   • Commute: 15-25 minutes to Homestead Hospital, potentially 30+ to northern employers.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,200 - $1,400 for a 1BR or a small house.
   • Best For: Those who want more space, a yard, and don’t mind a drive. Ideal if you work at a facility in the southern part of the city.

5. The Lakes / Homestead Bayfront: A more upscale, gated community area near the coast. Rent is significantly higher.

   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to downtown, 20-30 to northern jobs.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,900 - $2,300+ for a 1BR.
   • Best For: CNAs at the senior or expert level with a higher salary or a partner’s income.

Insider Tip: Traffic on US-1 is a known bottleneck. If your job is at Homestead Hospital, living in Downtown Homestead or Country Walk is ideal. If you’re commuting to Palms West Hospital, living in Florida City or northern Homestead will save you significant time.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 4% job growth suggests you won’t be competing with a flood of new hires, but it also means you need to be proactive about advancement to increase your salary beyond the median.

Specialty Premiums (Additional $1-$4/hour):

• Telemetry: Monitoring heart patients. Requires additional on-the-job training.
• ER/ Trauma: Fast-paced, requires ACLS/PALS often provided by the employer.
• Labor & Delivery / Postpartum: Highly sought-after, often requires experience.
• Home Health: Can pay more per hour but lacks benefits and consistent hours.

Advancement Paths:

1. Stay in the Bedside: Work your way from Med-Surg to a specialty unit. Pursue certifications like CNA-AG (Geriatric) to increase your value.
2. Move to Management: Become a CNA II, Charge CNA, or Unit Secretary. This requires leadership experience and sometimes additional coursework.
3. Bridge to LPN/RN: This is the most common and lucrative path. Many local CNAs use their experience to enroll in nursing programs at Miami Dade College or Florida International University (FIU). Your CNA experience is a massive advantage in nursing school and can often lead to part-time work as a nursing student extern. The pay jump from a CNA ($17.8/hr median) to an LPN ($24-28/hr in Homestead) or RN ($32-38/hr) is substantial.

10-Year Outlook: The 4% growth is tied to Florida’s aging population and the expansion of services like home health and long-term care. Automation and AI won’t replace the hands-on care CNAs provide. Your job security is high, but your income growth depends entirely on your willingness to specialize or advance your education. In 10 years, a CNA with a specialty and 10+ years of experience could be earning $45,000-$50,000, but crossing the $50,000 mark in Homestead will almost certainly require an LPN or RN license.

The Verdict: Is Homestead Right for You?

Homestead is a practical choice for a CNA, offering a stable job market and a community-focused environment. However, the financial math is challenging without careful planning.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: 163 jobs and steady 4% growth provide security.	Low Wages for Cost of Living: $37,025 median salary battles a $1,621 average rent.
No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your paycheck in your pocket.	Limited Major Advancement: Fewer large hospital systems compared to Miami. Growth often requires further education.
Strong Community Feel: Less anonymous than Miami; employers often know each other.	Car-Dependent: A reliable car is a non-negotiable expense.
Gateway to the Keys: Access to a unique lifestyle and potential for per-diem work in Marathon or Key Largo.	Budget Deficits for Single Renters: As shown, living alone on the median salary is tight.
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