CNA Salary

North Providence vs Pawtucket: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

North Providence, RI
$43,396
$20.86/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$45,183
$21.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Providence, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$43,396$45,183
Hourly Rate$20.86$21.73
Entry Level (P10)$37,101$35,295
25th Percentile$39,384$38,754
75th Percentile$48,070$50,175
Top Earner (P90)$51,981$57,595
Total Employed616
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Providence ($43,396) and Pawtucket ($45,183) certified nursing assistant salaries.North ProvidencePawtucketMedian Salary$43,396$45,183Entry Level (P10)$37,101$35,295Top Earner (P90)$51,981$57,595US Median $45,007

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Providence.

The salary gap between North Providence and Pawtucket is $1,787 (4.12%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Providence spans $14,880,Pawtucket spans $22,300. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

North Providence
P10 (Entry)$37,101
P25$39,384
Median$43,396
P75$48,070
P90 (Top)$51,981
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$35,295
P25$38,754
Median$45,183
P75$50,175
P90 (Top)$57,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($44,958 effective) pays 4.12% more than North Providence ($43,180 effective).

North Providence
Nominal: $43,396
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $43,180
Pawtucket
Nominal: $45,183
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $44,958

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,183/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,595)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,958)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

North Providence, RI

+0.6%

$40,497 (2024) → $40,747 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+0.6%

$42,164 (2024) → $42,425 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: North Providence or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $45,183/year, compared to North Providence at $43,396/year — a difference of $1,787 (4.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Providence and Pawtucket?

North Providence certified nursing assistants earn $20.86/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $21.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Providence to Pawtucket as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Providence and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Providence = $43,180, Pawtucket = $44,958), job availability (6 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in North Providence vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,101 in North Providence and $35,295 in Pawtucket. The North Providence area offers higher starting salaries.
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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