CNA Salary

Parsippany-Troy Hills vs Trenton: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
$52,474
$25.23/hr
Trenton, NJ
$48,969
$23.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricParsippany-Troy Hills, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$52,474$48,969
Hourly Rate$25.23$23.54
Entry Level (P10)$40,359$41,631
25th Percentile$44,696$45,657
75th Percentile$57,959$51,014
Top Earner (P90)$63,036$52,590
Total Employed81,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Parsippany-Troy Hills ($52,474) and Trenton ($48,969) certified nursing assistant salaries.Parsippany-Troy HillsTrentonMedian Salary$52,474$48,969Entry Level (P10)$40,359$41,631Top Earner (P90)$63,036$52,590US Median $45,007

Verdict

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton is $3,505 (7.16%). Parsippany-Troy Hills'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 Parsippany-Troy Hills spans $22,677,Trenton spans $10,959. Parsippany-Troy Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Parsippany-Troy Hills
P10 (Entry)$40,359
P25$44,696
Median$52,474
P75$57,959
P90 (Top)$63,036
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$41,631
P25$45,657
Median$48,969
P75$51,014
P90 (Top)$52,590

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($47,460 effective) pays 4.19% more than Parsippany-Troy Hills ($45,550 effective).

Parsippany-Troy Hills
Nominal: $52,474
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $45,550
Trenton
Nominal: $48,969
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $47,460

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Parsippany-Troy Hills if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,474/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,036)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (1,690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,460)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Parsippany-Troy Hills grew 5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.8% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

+5.7%

$46,636 (2024) → $49,271 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+54.8%

$29,710 (2019) → $45,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Parsippany-Troy Hills or Trenton?

Parsippany-Troy Hills has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $52,474/year, compared to Trenton at $48,969/year — a difference of $3,505 (7.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton?

Parsippany-Troy Hills certified nursing assistants earn $25.23/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $23.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Parsippany-Troy Hills to Trenton as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Parsippany-Troy Hills = $45,550, Trenton = $47,460), job availability (8 vs 1,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Parsippany-Troy Hills vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,359 in Parsippany-Troy Hills and $41,631 in Trenton. The Trenton 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