CNA Salary

Salisbury vs Waldorf: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Salisbury, MD and Waldorf, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salisbury, MD
$41,258
$19.83/hr
Waldorf, MD
$49,353
$23.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalisbury, MDWaldorf, MD
Median Salary$41,258$49,353
Hourly Rate$19.83$23.73
Entry Level (P10)$37,637$38,901
25th Percentile$39,703$42,593
75th Percentile$49,341$55,144
Top Earner (P90)$49,341$58,284
Total Employed83015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salisbury ($41,258) and Waldorf ($49,353) certified nursing assistant salaries.SalisburyWaldorfMedian Salary$41,258$49,353Entry Level (P10)$37,637$38,901Top Earner (P90)$49,341$58,284US Median $45,007

Verdict

Waldorf, MD offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Salisbury and Waldorf is $8,095 (19.62%). Waldorf's median is +9.66% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salisbury spans $11,704,Waldorf spans $19,383. Waldorf has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$37,637
P25$39,703
Median$41,258
P75$49,341
P90 (Top)$49,341
Waldorf
P10 (Entry)$38,901
P25$42,593
Median$49,353
P75$55,144
P90 (Top)$58,284

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waldorf ($45,154 effective) pays 4.65% more than Salisbury ($43,149 effective).

Salisbury
Nominal: $41,258
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $43,149
Waldorf
Nominal: $49,353
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $45,154

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Waldorf if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,353/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,284)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,154)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Salisbury grew 32.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.4% growth in Waldorf over the same period.

Salisbury, MD

+32.3%

$29,280 (2019) → $38,740 (2025)

Waldorf, MD

+8.4%

$42,766 (2024) → $46,341 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Salisbury or Waldorf?

Waldorf has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $49,353/year, compared to Salisbury at $41,258/year — a difference of $8,095 (19.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salisbury and Waldorf?

Salisbury certified nursing assistants earn $19.83/hr while Waldorf hygienists earn $23.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salisbury to Waldorf as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salisbury and Waldorf. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salisbury = $43,149, Waldorf = $45,154), job availability (830 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Salisbury vs Waldorf?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,637 in Salisbury and $38,901 in Waldorf. The Waldorf 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