CNA Salary

East Hartford vs Hartford: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between East Hartford, CT and Hartford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Hartford, CT
$46,412
$22.31/hr
Hartford, CT
$47,222
$22.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Hartford, CTHartford, CT
Median Salary$46,412$47,222
Hourly Rate$22.31$22.71
Entry Level (P10)$38,026$40,992
25th Percentile$41,137$42,504
75th Percentile$51,853$49,608
Top Earner (P90)$56,734$55,753
Total Employed117,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Hartford ($46,412) and Hartford ($47,222) certified nursing assistant salaries.East HartfordHartfordMedian Salary$46,412$47,222Entry Level (P10)$38,026$40,992Top Earner (P90)$56,734$55,753US Median $45,007

Verdict

Hartford, CT offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to East Hartford.

The salary gap between East Hartford and Hartford is $810 (1.75%). Hartford's median is +4.92% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Hartford spans $18,708,Hartford spans $14,761. East Hartford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Hartford
P10 (Entry)$38,026
P25$41,137
Median$46,412
P75$51,853
P90 (Top)$56,734
Hartford
P10 (Entry)$40,992
P25$42,504
Median$47,222
P75$49,608
P90 (Top)$55,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hartford ($45,960 effective) pays 6.85% more than East Hartford ($43,014 effective).

East Hartford
Nominal: $46,412
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $43,014
Hartford
Nominal: $47,222
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $45,960

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Hartford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,734)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Hartford if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,222/year)
  • Larger job market (7,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,960)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in East Hartford grew -1.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in Hartford over the same period.

East Hartford, CT

+-1.2%

$44,095 (2024) → $43,579 (2025)

Hartford, CT

+31.5%

$33,720 (2019) → $44,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: East Hartford or Hartford?

Hartford has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,222/year, compared to East Hartford at $46,412/year — a difference of $810 (1.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Hartford and Hartford?

East Hartford certified nursing assistants earn $22.31/hr while Hartford hygienists earn $22.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Hartford to Hartford as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Hartford and Hartford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Hartford = $43,014, Hartford = $45,960), job availability (11 vs 7,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in East Hartford vs Hartford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,026 in East Hartford and $40,992 in Hartford. The Hartford 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