CNA Salary

Billerica vs Boston: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Billerica, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Billerica, MA
$47,819
$22.99/hr
Boston, MA
$50,683
$24.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBillerica, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$47,819$50,683
Hourly Rate$22.99$24.37
Entry Level (P10)$37,670$42,802
25th Percentile$43,938$47,861
75th Percentile$53,494$53,314
Top Earner (P90)$58,139$63,314
Total Employed726,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Billerica ($47,819) and Boston ($50,683) certified nursing assistant salaries.BillericaBostonMedian Salary$47,819$50,683Entry Level (P10)$37,670$42,802Top Earner (P90)$58,139$63,314US Median $45,007

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Billerica.

The salary gap between Billerica and Boston is $2,864 (5.99%). Boston's median is +12.61% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billerica spans $20,469,Boston spans $20,512. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Billerica
P10 (Entry)$37,670
P25$43,938
Median$47,819
P75$53,494
P90 (Top)$58,139
Boston
P10 (Entry)$42,802
P25$47,861
Median$50,683
P75$53,314
P90 (Top)$63,314

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($46,813 effective) pays 6.22% more than Billerica ($44,073 effective).

Billerica
Nominal: $47,819
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,073
Boston
Nominal: $50,683
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $46,813

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Billerica if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,683/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,314)
  • Larger job market (26,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,813)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Billerica grew 1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.4% growth in Boston over the same period.

Billerica, MA

+1.7%

$44,130 (2024) → $44,900 (2025)

Boston, MA

+35.4%

$35,150 (2019) → $47,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Billerica or Boston?

Boston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,683/year, compared to Billerica at $47,819/year — a difference of $2,864 (5.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Billerica and Boston?

Billerica certified nursing assistants earn $22.99/hr while Boston hygienists earn $24.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Billerica to Boston as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Billerica and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Billerica = $44,073, Boston = $46,813), job availability (7 vs 26,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Billerica vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,670 in Billerica and $42,802 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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