CNA Salary

Atlantic City vs West New York: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and West New York, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$45,880
$22.06/hr
West New York, NJ
$51,595
$24.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJWest New York, NJ
Median Salary$45,880$51,595
Hourly Rate$22.06$24.80
Entry Level (P10)$40,619$39,934
25th Percentile$41,247$44,016
75th Percentile$49,640$57,098
Top Earner (P90)$51,184$61,964
Total Employed1,45010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($45,880) and West New York ($51,595) certified nursing assistant salaries.Atlantic CityWest New YorkMedian Salary$45,880$51,595Entry Level (P10)$40,619$39,934Top Earner (P90)$51,184$61,964US Median $45,007

Verdict

West New York, NJ offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and West New York is $5,715 (12.46%). West New York's median is +14.64% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $10,565,West New York spans $22,030. West New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$40,619
P25$41,247
Median$45,880
P75$49,640
P90 (Top)$51,184
West New York
P10 (Entry)$39,934
P25$44,016
Median$51,595
P75$57,098
P90 (Top)$61,964

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($46,410 effective) pays 3.62% more than West New York ($44,787 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $45,880
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $46,410
West New York
Nominal: $51,595
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $44,787

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,410)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose West New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,595/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,964)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Atlantic City grew 50.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.7% growth in West New York over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+50.5%

$28,620 (2019) → $43,080 (2025)

West New York, NJ

+5.7%

$45,855 (2024) → $48,446 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Atlantic City or West New York?

West New York has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $51,595/year, compared to Atlantic City at $45,880/year — a difference of $5,715 (12.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and West New York?

Atlantic City certified nursing assistants earn $22.06/hr while West New York hygienists earn $24.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to West New York as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and West New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $46,410, West New York = $44,787), job availability (1,450 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Atlantic City vs West New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,619 in Atlantic City and $39,934 in West New York. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov