Career Paths From Nursing Assistants

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesCareer Change93.8% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 52% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$64,400
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Registered NursesCareer Change94.5% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Registered Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Registered Nurses is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 131% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$97,550
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
4
Medical AssistantsLateral Move94.5% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Medical Assistants sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$45,690
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Psychiatric AidesLateral Move94% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Psychiatric Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Psychiatric Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 6% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$44,910
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Physical Therapist AidesLateral Move94.9% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Physical Therapist Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Physical Therapist Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 17% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$35,240
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Occupational Therapy AidesLateral Move93.6% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Occupational Therapy Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Occupational Therapy Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 7% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$39,160
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
PhlebotomistsLateral Move95.1% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Phlebotomists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Phlebotomists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 7% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$45,230
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Flight AttendantsCareer Change94.8% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Flight Attendants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Flight Attendants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 50% higher.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$63,580
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
OrderliesLateral Move93.6% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Orderlies sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 9% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$38,290
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Animal CaretakersCareer Change96.4% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Animal Caretakers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Animal Caretakers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 16% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$35,360
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Passenger AttendantsCareer Change94.8% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Passenger Attendants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Passenger Attendants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 11% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$37,720
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCareer Change94.5% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$33,580
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Pharmacy AidesLateral Move95.5% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Pharmacy Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Pharmacy Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 11% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$37,680
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Childcare WorkersCareer Change93.4% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Childcare Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Childcare Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 17% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$34,980
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Gambling DealersCareer Change92.5% skill match
Nursing Assistants and Gambling Dealers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Gambling Dealers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 19% lower.
Current median salary
$42,260
Target median salary
$34,320
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.