Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Torrance, CA

The Salary Picture: Where Torrance Stands

Let's get straight to the numbers. If you're a Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Torrance, CA, the financial reality is a mix of competitive pay and a high cost of living. The median salary for a CNA in Torrance is $37,422/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.99/hour. To put this in perspective, it sits slightly above the national average for CNAs, which is $35,760/year. This isn't a massive premium, but it does reflect the higher labor costs in the Los Angeles metro area.

The local job market is active but not sprawling. According to the most recent data, there are approximately 278 open CNA positions in the Torrance metro area. This indicates steady demand, primarily driven by the city's aging population and its role as a healthcare hub within the South Bay. However, the 10-year job growth projection is a modest 4%, which is slower than the national average for healthcare support roles. This means opportunities will be consistent but not explosive; competition for the best positions at top employers can be fierce.

Here’s how the salary landscape breaks down by experience level in the Torrance area:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Hourly Equivalent
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$32,000 - $36,000	$15.38 - $17.31
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$37,000 - $41,000	$17.79 - $19.71
Senior (8-15 years)	$41,000 - $46,000	$19.71 - $22.12
Expert/Lead (15+ years)	$46,000 - $52,000+	$22.12 - $25.00+

Compared to other California cities, Torrance offers a respectable wage but is outpaced by major metropolitan centers. San Francisco and San Jose CNAs command averages well over $45,000, though their housing costs are even more extreme. In contrast, cities like Bakersfield or Fresno have lower median salaries (often in the $32,000-$35,000 range) but significantly cheaper rent. Torrance sits in a middle ground: better pay than inland California, but a steeper cost of living than most of the state outside LA County.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Understanding your net income is critical. With a gross annual salary of $37,422, your monthly take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes will be approximately $2,580. This is a rough estimate and can vary based on your specific tax situation, but it gives us a solid baseline.

Now, let's layer in the biggest expense: housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Torrance is $2,252/month. This single cost eats up nearly 88% of your monthly take-home pay, leaving you with just $328 for all other expenses—utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, and savings. This is an untenable situation for a single-income household.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a CNA earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$2,252	Average for Torrance
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)	$150	Can be lower in newer apartments
Internet/Phone	$100	Basic plans
Groceries	$300	For one person
Transportation (Gas/Public Transit)	$150	Car insurance is extra; gas is ~$5.50/gal
Health Insurance (if not employer-paid)	$150	Varies widely
Personal/Miscellaneous	$200	Toiletries, clothing, etc.
Remaining / Savings	-$328	Deficit

Insider Tip: The standard rule of thumb is that housing should not exceed 30% of your gross income. For a $37,422 salary, that’s about $935/month. Finding a one-bedroom for that price in Torrance is virtually impossible. To make this work, you must consider shared housing (roommates), living in a studio, or looking at adjacent, more affordable cities like Carson, Harbor City, or even parts of Long Beach.

Can they afford to buy a home? At the median CNA salary, buying a home in Torrance is not feasible. The median home price in Torrance is well over $800,000. A 20% down payment would be $160,000, and the monthly mortgage payment alone would be several thousand dollars. This is a non-starter on a $37,422 income. Homeownership would require a dual-income household, significant savings from a previous career, or a move to a much more affordable region.

Where the Jobs Are: Torrance's Major Employers

Torrance is a healthcare powerhouse in the South Bay, anchored by world-class medical centers. The job market is dominated by a few key players, with opportunities also in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.

1. Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance: This is the city's flagship hospital and a major employer. They hire CNAs for their med-surg, orthopedics, and telemetry units. Hiring is continuous, but they heavily favor candidates with acute care experience and BLS/CPR certification. Insider Tip: They often host quarterly job fairs; it's the best way to get face-time with nurse managers.

2. Torrance Memorial Medical Center: Another large, not-for-profit hospital with a strong reputation. They have a dedicated CNA workforce and offer pathways to become a Patient Care Technician (PCT) with additional training. Their staffing ratios are generally good, leading to better job satisfaction for support staff.

3. Sunrise of Torrance (Senior Living): Part of a national chain, this assisted living and memory care community is a steady source of entry-level CNA jobs. The pace can be different from a hospital—more focused on daily living assistance and social engagement. It's a great place to gain experience.

4. The Rehabilitation Center of Torrance: A skilled nursing facility (SNF) specializing in post-acute care. SNFs are consistently high-volume employers for CNAs. The work is physically demanding but offers consistent hours and experience with complex patient care.

5. Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center: Located just south of Torrance in Harbor City, Kaiser is a massive regional employer. They offer excellent benefits and unionized positions (SEIU-UHW). Competition is high, but the pay and benefits package often exceeds the median. Hiring Trend: Kaiser is increasingly prioritizing internal candidates and those with experience in their system.

6. Torrance Home Health Agencies: Companies like Visiting Nurse Association of Los Angeles (based in nearby areas) and others hire CNAs for home health aide roles. This offers more flexible scheduling but can lack the stability of facility-based work.

Getting Licensed in CA

California's CNA licensing process is managed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Complete a State-Approved Training Program: You must complete a minimum 150-hour course (including 100 hours of classroom/lab and 50 hours of clinical training). Programs in the Torrance area cost between $800 and $1,500. Some community colleges, like El Camino College (in nearby Gardena), offer affordable programs.

2. Pass the Competency Exam: After training, you must pass a state exam consisting of a written (or oral) test and a skills demonstration. The exam fee is $105 (as of the latest CDPH schedule).

3. Apply for Certification: Submit your application, exam results, and background check to the CDPH. The application fee is $50. Once approved, you are placed on the Nurse Aide Registry.

4. Timeline: From start to finish, expect 3 to 6 months. This includes finding a class (which may have a waitlist), completing the course, and scheduling your exam.

Insider Tip: Many hospitals, like Providence, offer paid training programs for CNAs. You work as a "nursing assistant trainee" while you complete your certification, and they cover the cost. This is the best financial route if you can get accepted.

Best Neighborhoods for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s

Living in Torrance proper at the median salary is challenging. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods and nearby cities that offer a better balance:

Neighborhood/Area	Vibe & Commute	Approx. 1BR Rent	CNA-Friendly?
Torrance (West)	Beach-near, quieter, more residential. Commute to major hospitals is easy via I-110 or Sepulveda.	$2,400+	No - Too expensive.
Torrance (East)	More commercial, closer to the 405 freeway. Slightly more affordable than west.	$2,100+	Marginal - Requires roommates.
Carson	Directly east of Torrance. More diverse, larger Latino community. Commute to Torrance hospitals is 10-15 mins.	$1,800 - $2,100	Yes - A top choice for affordability.
Harbor City	Unincorporated area between Torrance and San Pedro. Industrial and residential mix. Close to Kaiser South Bay.	$1,900 - $2,200	Yes - Good balance of cost and location.
Long Beach (North)	Further west, but along the Metro Blue Line. Vibrant, urban. Commute to Torrance can be 30-45 mins via traffic.	$1,700 - $2,000	Yes - Excellent public transit option.

Personal Insight: Many CNAs I've spoken with live in Carson or Harbor City. You get more space for your money, and you're still within a 15-minute drive of the major hospitals. The trade-off is that these areas have fewer "walkable" amenities compared to downtown Torrance.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Staying a CNA in Torrance indefinitely on the median salary is not a sustainable long-term plan for financial growth. The advancement path is clear and well-trodden:

• Specialty Certifications: While CNAs don't have formal specialties like LPNs, you can gain experience in high-demand areas like telemetry, oncology, or orthopedics. This makes you more valuable and can lead to higher pay within the same role, pushing you toward the $41,000 - $46,000 range.
• Advancement Paths: The most common routes are:
  1. LVN/LPN: 12-18 month program, significant pay jump (median ~$60,000 in CA).
  2. RN (Associate Degree): 2-3 years. Opens the door to $90,000+ salaries in the Torrance area.
  3. Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist: Shorter programs, but pay is often similar to CNA unless in a specialized clinic.
• 10-Year Outlook: With the 4% job growth and an aging population, demand for CNAs will remain steady. However, the real growth is in the "bridge" roles—CNAs who advance to LVN or RN. The healthcare system needs more nurses, and being an experienced CNA is a prime stepping stone.

The Verdict: Is Torrance Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, reputable employers like Providence and Torrance Memorial.	Extremely high cost of living, especially housing.
Slightly above-average pay compared to national median.	Median salary is insufficient for comfortable solo living.
Central location in the South Bay with access to LA and beaches.	Traffic congestion can make commutes stressful.
Stable job market in healthcare with consistent openings.	Job growth is slow (4%), leading to competition.
Pathways to career advancement (LVN, RN) are readily available.	Buying a home is not feasible on a CNA salary alone.

Final Recommendation: Torrance is a viable career launchpad for a CNA, not a long-term financial home. If you are early in your career, willing to live with roommates or in a more affordable adjacent city, and have a clear plan to advance to an LVN or RN within 5-7 years, Torrance is an excellent choice. You'll gain experience at top-tier hospitals and build a network in the California healthcare system. However, if you are looking for a place to settle down, save aggressively, and buy a home on a CNA salary, you should look toward more affordable regions of the state or country.

FAQs

Q: Can I live in Torrance on a CNA salary?
A: Yes, but it requires careful budgeting. You will almost certainly need a roommate and should budget for a monthly housing cost of no more than $1,200-$1,500. This is more feasible in Carson, Harbor City, or shared housing in Torrance.

Q: Is it worth getting my CNA license in California?
A: Absolutely. California is a high-need state for healthcare workers. The license is a mandatory prerequisite for advancing to LVN or RN, which offer significant salary and career growth. The initial investment is modest compared to the long-term payoff.

Q: How do I find a CNA job quickly in Torrance?
A: Apply directly on hospital career websites (Providence, Torrance Memorial, Kaiser). Also, use Indeed and Glassdoor, but filter for "full-time" and "hospital" roles. Networking is key—ask instructors from your training program for connections.

Q: What's the best way to afford the high rent?
A: The most common solution is shared housing. Look for roommate listings on apps like Roomster or Facebook groups for South Bay healthcare workers. Consider a studio apartment, which can be $300-$500 cheaper than a one-bedroom. Also, look into employer-sponsored housing assistance programs, which some larger hospitals are beginning to offer.

Q: Are there shifts other than day shift?
A: Yes. Hospitals and SNFs operate 24/7. Evening (3-11 PM) and night (11-7 AM) shifts are always in demand. Night shift often comes with a pay differential of $2-$4/hour, which can make a significant difference to your annual income.