CNA Salary

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

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

Hartford, CT
$47,222
$22.71/hr
West Hartford, CT
$46,087
$22.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHartford, CTWest Hartford, CT
Median Salary$47,222$46,087
Hourly Rate$22.71$22.15
Entry Level (P10)$40,992$37,063
25th Percentile$42,504$40,468
75th Percentile$49,608$52,118
Top Earner (P90)$55,753$57,384
Total Employed7,99015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hartford ($47,222) and West Hartford ($46,087) certified nursing assistant salaries.HartfordWest HartfordMedian Salary$47,222$46,087Entry Level (P10)$40,992$37,063Top Earner (P90)$55,753$57,384US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hartford and West Hartford is $1,135 (2.46%). 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 Hartford spans $14,761,West Hartford spans $20,321. West Hartford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Hartford
P10 (Entry)$40,992
P25$42,504
Median$47,222
P75$49,608
P90 (Top)$55,753
West Hartford
P10 (Entry)$37,063
P25$40,468
Median$46,087
P75$52,118
P90 (Top)$57,384

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hartford ($45,960 effective) pays 7.60% more than West Hartford ($42,713 effective).

Hartford
Nominal: $47,222
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $45,960
West Hartford
Nominal: $46,087
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $42,713

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose West Hartford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($57,384)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Hartford grew 31.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in West Hartford over the same period.

Hartford, CT

+31.5%

$33,720 (2019) → $44,340 (2025)

West Hartford, CT

+-1.2%

$43,786 (2024) → $43,274 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hartford has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,222/year, compared to West Hartford at $46,087/year — a difference of $1,135 (2.46%).

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

Hartford certified nursing assistants earn $22.71/hr while West Hartford hygienists earn $22.15/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hartford and West Hartford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hartford = $45,960, West Hartford = $42,713), job availability (7,990 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,992 in Hartford and $37,063 in West 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