CNA Home Care in Wauna, WA: Nursing Assistants

Local figures

Nursing Assistants in Wauna, WA: the local picture

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

666

certified beds in the 6 nearest nursing homes

$22.95

median hourly wage of home care aides in Washington (BLS, May 2025)

$17.13

Washington minimum wage per hour

The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Wauna are Heron's Key in Gig Harbor (4.0 mi), Gig Harbor Health And Rehabilitation in Gig Harbor (7.1 mi), Cottesmore Of Life Care in Gig Harbor (8.5 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.

Aides in Washington earn a median $22.95 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Wauna has about 52 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.

Wauna compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Wauna	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	36%	33%
Residents 65 or older	24%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	1.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,583	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Wauna

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Canterwood, WA	3.2 mi	520	49
Rosedale, WA	3.4 mi	663	28
Gig Harbor, WA	4.5 mi	3,799	575
Maplewood, WA	4.9 mi	1,401	65
Key Center, WA	5.4 mi	712	36
Artondale, WA	5.6 mi	2,682	129

Nursing homes near Wauna

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heron's Key	Gig Harbor, WA	4.0 mi	5 of 5	30	(253) 313-0800
Gig Harbor Health And Rehabilitation	Gig Harbor, WA	7.1 mi	2 of 5	120	(253) 858-8688
Cottesmore Of Life Care	Gig Harbor, WA	8.5 mi	5 of 5	108	(253) 851-5433
Life Care Center Of Port Orchard	Port Orchard, WA	9.3 mi	5 of 5	125	(360) 876-8035
Avamere Rehabilitation At Ridgemont	Port Orchard, WA	9.3 mi	4 of 5	96	(360) 876-4461
Eliseo	Tacoma, WA	11 mi	3 of 5	187	(253) 752-7112

Straight-line miles from the center of Wauna. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a nursing assistant can help with

Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
Help with eating and fluids
Taking and noting vital signs if asked

Cost

What CNAs costs in Wauna

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $4,549 monthly median income of Wauna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a nursing assistant

To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.

Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Nursing Assistants in Wauna: common questions

What nursing homes are near Wauna?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Heron's Key in Gig Harbor (4.0 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Gig Harbor Health And Rehabilitation in Gig Harbor (7.1 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Cottesmore Of Life Care in Gig Harbor (8.5 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does CNAs cost in Wauna?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $4,549 monthly median income of Wauna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Can a CNA give medication?

Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.

More near Wauna

More senior care near Wauna

Nursing Assistants in nearby cities

Other care in Wauna

More for Wauna families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Wauna, WA