CNA Salary

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

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

New Haven, CT
$47,957
$23.06/hr
West Hartford, CT
$46,087
$22.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTWest Hartford, CT
Median Salary$47,957$46,087
Hourly Rate$23.06$22.15
Entry Level (P10)$42,089$37,063
25th Percentile$45,997$40,468
75th Percentile$52,249$52,118
Top Earner (P90)$63,655$57,384
Total Employed3,84015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($47,957) and West Hartford ($46,087) certified nursing assistant salaries.New HavenWest HartfordMedian Salary$47,957$46,087Entry Level (P10)$42,089$37,063Top Earner (P90)$63,655$57,384US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Haven and West Hartford is $1,870 (4.06%). New Haven's median is +6.55% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $21,566,West Hartford spans $20,321. New Haven has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$42,089
P25$45,997
Median$47,957
P75$52,249
P90 (Top)$63,655
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, New Haven ($45,866 effective) pays 7.38% more than West Hartford ($42,713 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $47,957
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $45,866
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 New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,655)
  • Larger job market (3,840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,866)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose West Hartford if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in New Haven grew 28.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in West Hartford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+28.8%

$34,950 (2019) → $45,030 (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: New Haven or West Hartford?

New Haven has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,957/year, compared to West Hartford at $46,087/year — a difference of $1,870 (4.06%).

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

New Haven certified nursing assistants earn $23.06/hr while West Hartford hygienists earn $22.15/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and West Hartford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $45,866, West Hartford = $42,713), job availability (3,840 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,089 in New Haven and $37,063 in West Hartford. The New Haven 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