CNA Salary

Pawtucket vs West Warwick: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Pawtucket, RI
$45,183
$21.73/hr
West Warwick, RI
$44,715
$21.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPawtucket, RIWest Warwick, RI
Median Salary$45,183$44,715
Hourly Rate$21.73$21.50
Entry Level (P10)$35,295$36,713
25th Percentile$38,754$39,496
75th Percentile$50,175$48,496
Top Earner (P90)$57,595$51,695
Total Employed167
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pawtucket ($45,183) and West Warwick ($44,715) certified nursing assistant salaries.PawtucketWest WarwickMedian Salary$45,183$44,715Entry Level (P10)$35,295$36,713Top Earner (P90)$57,595$51,695US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Pawtucket and West Warwick is $468 (1.05%). 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 Pawtucket spans $22,300,West Warwick spans $14,982. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$35,295
P25$38,754
Median$45,183
P75$50,175
P90 (Top)$57,595
West Warwick
P10 (Entry)$36,713
P25$39,496
Median$44,715
P75$48,496
P90 (Top)$51,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($44,958 effective) pays 1.05% more than West Warwick ($44,493 effective).

Pawtucket
Nominal: $45,183
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $44,958
West Warwick
Nominal: $44,715
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $44,493

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose West Warwick if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Pawtucket, RI

+0.6%

$42,164 (2024) → $42,425 (2025)

West Warwick, RI

+0.6%

$41,728 (2024) → $41,986 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Pawtucket or West Warwick?

Pawtucket has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $45,183/year, compared to West Warwick at $44,715/year — a difference of $468 (1.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pawtucket and West Warwick?

Pawtucket certified nursing assistants earn $21.73/hr while West Warwick hygienists earn $21.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pawtucket and West Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pawtucket = $44,958, West Warwick = $44,493), job availability (16 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,295 in Pawtucket and $36,713 in West Warwick. The West Warwick 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