CNA Salary

New York vs Utica: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between New York, NY and Utica, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$52,473
$25.23/hr
Utica, NY
$46,391
$22.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYUtica, NY
Median Salary$52,473$46,391
Hourly Rate$25.23$22.30
Entry Level (P10)$46,051$39,906
25th Percentile$50,513$40,364
75th Percentile$58,756$49,586
Top Earner (P90)$64,464$49,991
Total Employed79,4801,590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($52,473) and Utica ($46,391) certified nursing assistant salaries.New YorkUticaMedian Salary$52,473$46,391Entry Level (P10)$46,051$39,906Top Earner (P90)$64,464$49,991US Median $45,007

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Utica.

The salary gap between New York and Utica is $6,082 (13.11%). New York's median is +16.59% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $18,413,Utica spans $10,085. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$46,051
P25$50,513
Median$52,473
P75$58,756
P90 (Top)$64,464
Utica
P10 (Entry)$39,906
P25$40,364
Median$46,391
P75$49,586
P90 (Top)$49,991

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Utica ($50,056 effective) pays 7.38% more than New York ($46,617 effective).

New York
Nominal: $52,473
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $46,617
Utica
Nominal: $46,391
CoL Index: 92.678
Adjusted: $50,056

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,473/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,464)
  • Larger job market (79,480 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Utica if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,056)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in New York grew 29.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 52.2% growth in Utica over the same period.

New York, NY

+29.8%

$37,950 (2019) → $49,270 (2025)

Utica, NY

+52.2%

$28,620 (2019) → $43,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: New York or Utica?

New York has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $52,473/year, compared to Utica at $46,391/year — a difference of $6,082 (13.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Utica?

New York certified nursing assistants earn $25.23/hr while Utica hygienists earn $22.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Utica as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Utica. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $46,617, Utica = $50,056), job availability (79,480 vs 1,590 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in New York vs Utica?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $46,051 in New York and $39,906 in Utica. The New York area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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