CNA Salary

Boston vs Lynn: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$50,683
$24.37/hr
Lynn, MA
$50,716
$24.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MALynn, MA
Median Salary$50,683$50,716
Hourly Rate$24.37$24.38
Entry Level (P10)$42,802$39,421
25th Percentile$47,861$43,550
75th Percentile$53,314$57,388
Top Earner (P90)$63,314$63,310
Total Employed26,13024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($50,683) and Lynn ($50,716) certified nursing assistant salaries.BostonLynnMedian Salary$50,683$50,716Entry Level (P10)$42,802$39,421Top Earner (P90)$63,314$63,310US Median $45,007

Verdict

Boston and Lynn are closely matched on overall certified nursing assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Boston and Lynn is $33 (0.07%). Lynn's median is +12.68% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $20,512,Lynn spans $23,889. Lynn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$42,802
P25$47,861
Median$50,683
P75$53,314
P90 (Top)$63,314
Lynn
P10 (Entry)$39,421
P25$43,550
Median$50,716
P75$57,388
P90 (Top)$63,310

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($46,813 effective) pays 0.15% more than Lynn ($46,743 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $50,683
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $46,813
Lynn
Nominal: $50,716
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,743

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • 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

Choose Lynn if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,716/year)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Boston grew 35.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in Lynn over the same period.

Boston, MA

+35.4%

$35,150 (2019) → $47,590 (2025)

Lynn, MA

+1.7%

$46,804 (2024) → $47,621 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lynn has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,716/year, compared to Boston at $50,683/year — a difference of $33 (0.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Lynn?

Boston certified nursing assistants earn $24.37/hr while Lynn hygienists earn $24.38/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Lynn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $46,813, Lynn = $46,743), job availability (26,130 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,802 in Boston and $39,421 in Lynn. 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