Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Burlington, VT: $43,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,196 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,790 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($51,322) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the healthcare field as certified nursing assistants in Burlington, VT, the projected starting salary is around $43,196 in 2026. New grads should be prepared that this figure sits below the city’s median annual salary of $51,322, indicating a significant gap as they begin their careers. However, there is promising growth potential: entry-level salaries can rise towards the 25th percentile of $50,715 and eventually align more closely with the median within the first few years of employment. Given Burlington’s robust healthcare environment, which is experiencing ongoing demand for CNAs, this market presents a strong starting point for newcomers eager to establish themselves in a rewarding profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Burlington, VT typically start between $43,196 and $50,715 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,151 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $51,322 — 14.03% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Vermont of $2,500 represents just 5.79% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($43,196/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $43,196 to $50,715, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Burlington is $21,151 ( 48.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,196, experienced hygienists can earn up to $64,347.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,600
2025 BLS Actual
$40,560
2026 Current Est.
$43,196
2019–2027 Growth
+79.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,004 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew 58.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,600 in 2019 to $40,560 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,004. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Burlington
In Burlington, various employers actively recruit new certified nursing assistants, particularly skilled nursing facilities that often provide paid training programs. Hospital systems, while typically favoring candidates with experience, are increasingly adopting apprenticeship pipelines to cultivate talent from fresh graduates. Home health agencies also seek candidates who can offer flexible schedules. To improve starting pay in Vermont, obtaining essential credentials such as state CNA certification, CPR/BLS, and optional certifications like medication aide can be advantageous. Given the current staffing crisis that has heightened wage growth for CNAs—wages rose significantly between 2020 and 2024—new graduates can expect a positive trajectory in their salaries over their first three years as they gain experience and potentially bridge into LPN or RN pathways. This upward movement is vital as the industry continues recovering from post-COVID turnover and adjusts to evolving workforce demands.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for certified nursing assistants in Burlington in 2026?
How fast do certified nursing assistant salaries grow in Burlington?
Is nursing school worth it in Burlington?
What do new certified nursing assistants make right out of school in Burlington?
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Vermont?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Vermont
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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