Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New Haven, CT: $47,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in New Haven, CT earns a median $47,957/year (≈ $23.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in New Haven's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.6), that paycheck buys what $45,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In New Haven, CT, the 2026 median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is projected to be $47,957, reflecting a notable increase in wages influenced by the post-COVID environment. This salary is above the national median of $45,007, illustrating that local CNAs enjoy a income premium of approximately 6.55%. With a salary range from $42,089 at the 10th percentile to $63,655 at the 90th percentile, the New Haven market presents ample opportunities for certified nursing assistants to find roles that meet their financial expectations. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscore a competitive compensation landscape for this essential workforce within the region, especially as recovery continues from the challenges faced during the pandemic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,089 | $20.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,997 | $22.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,957 | $23.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,249 | $25.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,655 | $30.60 |
Median Salary Position
6.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Haven
In New Haven, CT, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,566 (2026 est.). At $47,957, the local median is 6.55% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Haven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Haven Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
New Haven median: $47,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Haven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $47,202 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +6.55% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in New Haven, CT earn a median of $47,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% above the Connecticut state average of $47,202.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Haven has a cost of living 4.56% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Haven, CT has a cost-of-living index of 104.559 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,957 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,866 — a 4.36% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,950
2025 BLS Actual
$45,030
2026 Current Est.
$47,957
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Haven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Haven metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 28.8% from $34,950 (2019) to $45,030 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,124 (46.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Haven 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,089 – $45,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,997 – $47,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,957 – $52,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,249 – $63,655 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in New Haven
The job market in New Haven appears strong, with approximately 3,840 certified nursing assistants employed in the area. While the cost of living index sits at 104.559, slightly above the national average, CNAs must navigate this financial reality when considering their take-home pay. Recent trends show that skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest wages, although home health agencies, hospice, and rehabilitation hospitals also compensate competitively. Various factors, such as shift differentials—where night shifts can yield an additional $2-4 per hour, and weekend shifts typically provide $1-3 more—play a significant role in salary variations. In New Haven, CNAs looking to maximize their income may benefit from pursuing roles that include CMA certification stipends and weekend-only premium opportunities. It’s worth considering the pathway to bridge into LPN or RN roles as a long-term strategy for enhanced earning potential in this evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for New Haven, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New Haven, CT in 2026?
Is New Haven, CT a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in New Haven?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in New Haven?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in New Haven?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,030 for certified nursing assistantsin the New Haven metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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