CNA Salary

Atlantic City vs Woodbridge: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$45,880
$22.06/hr
Woodbridge, NJ
$52,549
$25.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJWoodbridge, NJ
Median Salary$45,880$52,549
Hourly Rate$22.06$25.26
Entry Level (P10)$40,619$39,791
25th Percentile$41,247$47,406
75th Percentile$49,640$60,608
Top Earner (P90)$51,184$67,734
Total Employed1,45025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($45,880) and Woodbridge ($52,549) certified nursing assistant salaries.Atlantic CityWoodbridgeMedian Salary$45,880$52,549Entry Level (P10)$40,619$39,791Top Earner (P90)$51,184$67,734US Median $45,007

Verdict

Woodbridge, 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 Woodbridge is $6,669 (14.54%). Woodbridge's median is +16.76% 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,Woodbridge spans $27,943. Woodbridge 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
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$39,791
P25$47,406
Median$52,549
P75$60,608
P90 (Top)$67,734

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($46,410 effective) pays 1.74% more than Woodbridge ($45,615 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $45,880
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $46,410
Woodbridge
Nominal: $52,549
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $45,615

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 Woodbridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,549/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,734)
  • 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 Woodbridge over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+50.5%

$28,620 (2019) → $43,080 (2025)

Woodbridge, NJ

+5.7%

$46,703 (2024) → $49,342 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Atlantic City or Woodbridge?

Woodbridge has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $52,549/year, compared to Atlantic City at $45,880/year — a difference of $6,669 (14.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Woodbridge?

Atlantic City certified nursing assistants earn $22.06/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $25.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Woodbridge as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $46,410, Woodbridge = $45,615), job availability (1,450 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Atlantic City vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,619 in Atlantic City and $39,791 in Woodbridge. 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