CNA Salary

Providence vs South Kingstown: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Providence, RI
$49,341
$23.72/hr
South Kingstown, RI
$42,935
$20.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvidence, RISouth Kingstown, RI
Median Salary$49,341$42,935
Hourly Rate$23.72$20.64
Entry Level (P10)$41,769$35,784
25th Percentile$45,614$38,418
75th Percentile$50,556$47,954
Top Earner (P90)$58,447$52,076
Total Employed13,0305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Providence ($49,341) and South Kingstown ($42,935) certified nursing assistant salaries.ProvidenceSouth KingstownMedian Salary$49,341$42,935Entry Level (P10)$41,769$35,784Top Earner (P90)$58,447$52,076US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Providence and South Kingstown is $6,406 (14.92%). Providence's median is +9.63% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Providence spans $16,678,South Kingstown spans $16,292. Providence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Providence
P10 (Entry)$41,769
P25$45,614
Median$49,341
P75$50,556
P90 (Top)$58,447
South Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$35,784
P25$38,418
Median$42,935
P75$47,954
P90 (Top)$52,076

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Providence ($48,481 effective) pays 13.48% more than South Kingstown ($42,721 effective).

Providence
Nominal: $49,341
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $48,481
South Kingstown
Nominal: $42,935
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $42,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Providence if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,341/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,447)
  • Larger job market (13,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,481)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose South Kingstown 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 Providence grew 46.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in South Kingstown over the same period.

Providence, RI

+46.2%

$31,690 (2019) → $46,330 (2025)

South Kingstown, RI

+0.6%

$40,068 (2024) → $40,315 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Providence or South Kingstown?

Providence has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $49,341/year, compared to South Kingstown at $42,935/year — a difference of $6,406 (14.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Providence and South Kingstown?

Providence certified nursing assistants earn $23.72/hr while South Kingstown hygienists earn $20.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Providence to South Kingstown as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Providence and South Kingstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Providence = $48,481, South Kingstown = $42,721), job availability (13,030 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Providence vs South Kingstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $41,769 in Providence and $35,784 in South Kingstown. The Providence 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