About how much do Certified Nurse Assistants make hourly when they first start off?

That depends which state you live in. I live in Texas and they start them off pretty good. Of course it depends on the town and which section of the state you live in as well.

It depends on where you live and work. I don't think they make too much, though.

depends, I make 13.25 in nc

11.50/ hr plus shift differential, in Omaha, NE
10% evenings, 15% nights, 10% weekend, 15% weekend evening, 20% evenings night.

Rent here is 400-500 for a one bedroom, for comparison sake.

it is not really by the hour, but rather by the shift and if you work overtime you get paid a LOT more. OB shifts are a little less but work is different.

Correct me if I am wrong, but CRNAs are among the top wage earners for nurses in the US?

We pay nurses $900 per day in Texas, with over -time it is $150K per year but at 80 hour weeks and exhaustion...

downside seems to be the tension and STRESS of the job! be careful!