CNA Salary

Bristol vs Warwick: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Bristol, RI and Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bristol, RI
$42,818
$20.59/hr
Warwick, RI
$50,343
$24.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBristol, RIWarwick, RI
Median Salary$42,818$50,343
Hourly Rate$20.59$24.21
Entry Level (P10)$35,443$40,028
25th Percentile$37,779$43,862
75th Percentile$45,161$56,587
Top Earner (P90)$51,049$62,111
Total Employed516
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bristol ($42,818) and Warwick ($50,343) certified nursing assistant salaries.BristolWarwickMedian Salary$42,818$50,343Entry Level (P10)$35,443$40,028Top Earner (P90)$51,049$62,111US Median $45,007

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bristol.

The salary gap between Bristol and Warwick is $7,525 (17.57%). Warwick's median is +11.86% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bristol spans $15,606,Warwick spans $22,083. Warwick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Bristol
P10 (Entry)$35,443
P25$37,779
Median$42,818
P75$45,161
P90 (Top)$51,049
Warwick
P10 (Entry)$40,028
P25$43,862
Median$50,343
P75$56,587
P90 (Top)$62,111

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($50,093 effective) pays 17.57% more than Bristol ($42,605 effective).

Bristol
Nominal: $42,818
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $42,605
Warwick
Nominal: $50,343
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $50,093

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bristol if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,343/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,111)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,093)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Bristol grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Warwick over the same period.

Bristol, RI

+0.6%

$39,958 (2024) → $40,205 (2025)

Warwick, RI

+10.9%

$42,635 (2024) → $47,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Bristol or Warwick?

Warwick has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,343/year, compared to Bristol at $42,818/year — a difference of $7,525 (17.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bristol and Warwick?

Bristol certified nursing assistants earn $20.59/hr while Warwick hygienists earn $24.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bristol to Warwick as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bristol and Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bristol = $42,605, Warwick = $50,093), job availability (5 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Bristol vs Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,443 in Bristol and $40,028 in Warwick. The Warwick 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