CNA Salary

Bridgewater vs Vineland: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Bridgewater, NJ
$51,059
$24.55/hr
Vineland, NJ
$52,068
$25.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgewater, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$51,059$52,068
Hourly Rate$24.55$25.04
Entry Level (P10)$41,430$40,417
25th Percentile$44,856$42,653
75th Percentile$55,120$52,686
Top Earner (P90)$58,800$56,882
Total Employed10770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgewater ($51,059) and Vineland ($52,068) certified nursing assistant salaries.BridgewaterVinelandMedian Salary$51,059$52,068Entry Level (P10)$41,430$40,417Top Earner (P90)$58,800$56,882US Median $45,007

Verdict

Vineland, NJ offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bridgewater.

The salary gap between Bridgewater and Vineland is $1,009 (1.98%). Vineland's median is +15.69% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgewater spans $17,370,Vineland spans $16,465. Bridgewater has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bridgewater
P10 (Entry)$41,430
P25$44,856
Median$51,059
P75$55,120
P90 (Top)$58,800
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$40,417
P25$42,653
Median$52,068
P75$52,686
P90 (Top)$56,882

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($54,256 effective) pays 22.41% more than Bridgewater ($44,322 effective).

Bridgewater
Nominal: $51,059
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $44,322
Vineland
Nominal: $52,068
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $54,256

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgewater if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,800)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,068/year)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,256)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Bridgewater grew 5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 69.5% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Bridgewater, NJ

+5.7%

$45,379 (2024) → $47,943 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+69.5%

$28,840 (2019) → $48,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Bridgewater or Vineland?

Vineland has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $52,068/year, compared to Bridgewater at $51,059/year — a difference of $1,009 (1.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgewater and Vineland?

Bridgewater certified nursing assistants earn $24.55/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $25.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgewater to Vineland as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgewater and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgewater = $44,322, Vineland = $54,256), job availability (10 vs 770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Bridgewater vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $41,430 in Bridgewater and $40,417 in Vineland. The Bridgewater 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