Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Connecticut: $47,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $47,476/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,000 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bridgeport ($45,560), New Haven ($45,030), Stamford ($44,949).
In Connecticut, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $47,476, which is approximately 5.5% higher than the national median of $45,007. There is a notable salary difference across cities in the state, with Bridgeport offering the highest salary at $48,521, while Cheshire has the lowest at $45,086. This roughly $1,435 gap can be attributed to variations in cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in more urban areas. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role of certified nursing assistants, influencing both job expectations and salary levels. The state's job market for this profession is experiencing a positive outlook, with a projected growth rate of 6.50% annually based on 2025 BLS data. The total number of employed certified nursing assistants in Connecticut stands at 20,390, indicating a strong demand for these roles. Other key cities with competitive salaries include New Haven at $47,957, Stamford at $47,871, Manchester at $47,624, and Danbury at $47,506. These projections suggest ongoing opportunities for individuals pursuing a career as a certified nursing assistant in the state.
Connecticut Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $35,913 (lowest entry-level) to $63,655 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut certified nursing assistants earn 5.49% more than the national median (+$2,469/year difference).
Connecticut Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Connecticut range from $41,233 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $57,380 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,476. The Connecticut median is $2,469 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $22.83/hr. Approximately 20,390 certified nursing assistants are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,937
2025 BLS Actual
$44,578
2026 Current Est.
$47,476
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,937 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,927 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,219 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,032 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,562 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.4% from $33,937 (2019) to $44,578 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,625 (48.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $45,086 |
| Enfield | $45,186 |
| Naugatuck | $45,251 |
| Glastonbury | $45,572 |
| Vernon | $45,587 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich | $47,084 | 100.445 | $46,875 |
| Hartford | $47,222 | 102.746 | $45,960 |
| Waterbury | $45,806 | 99.778 | $45,908 |
| New Haven | $47,957 | 104.559 | $45,866 |
| Bridgeport | $48,521 | 106.864 | $45,404 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,233 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,476 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $57,380 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $48,521 |
| 2 | New Haven | $47,957 |
| 3 | Stamford | $47,871 |
| 4 | Manchester | $47,624 |
| 5 | Danbury | $47,506 |
| 6 | Hartford | $47,222 |
| 7 | Norwich | $47,084 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $46,995 |
| 9 | Bristol | $46,845 |
| 10 | Stratford | $46,778 |
| 11 | Shelton | $46,752 |
| 12 | New London | $46,750 |
| 13 | Middletown | $46,719 |
| 14 | Meriden | $46,620 |
| 15 | Hamden | $46,467 |
| 16 | Fairfield | $46,434 |
| 17 | East Hartford | $46,412 |
| 18 | New Britain | $46,382 |
| 19 | Milford | $46,172 |
| 20 | West Haven | $46,153 |
| 21 | West Hartford | $46,087 |
| 22 | Torrington | $45,928 |
| 23 | Waterbury | $45,806 |
| 24 | Groton | $45,775 |
| 25 | Vernon | $45,587 |
| 26 | Glastonbury | $45,572 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $45,251 |
| 28 | Enfield | $45,186 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $45,086 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Connecticut?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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