Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bangor, ME: $50,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bangor, ME earns a median $50,023/year (≈ $24.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $51,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bangor, Maine, skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher compensation for certified nursing assistants compared to hospital settings, where pay discrepancies are notable. With a median annual salary projected at $50,023 for 2026, salaries for this role can vary significantly, ranging from $41,450 at the lower end to $64,134 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, highlighting how Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Bangor ME are more competitive than the national average of $45,007. This robust pay structure reflects the increased demand for CNAs in recent years as facilities strive to retain skilled staff in the face of a national workforce shortage.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,450 | $19.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,318 | $22.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,023 | $24.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,261 | $25.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,134 | $30.83 |
Median Salary Position
11.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,684 (2026 est.). At $50,023, the local median is 11.14% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bangor Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bangor median: $50,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $44,824 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +11.14% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bangor, ME earn a median of $50,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.14% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 11.60% above the Maine state average of $44,824.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $50,023 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,833 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,160
2025 BLS Actual
$46,970
2026 Current Est.
$50,023
2019–2027 Growth
+71.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 50.7% from $31,160 (2019) to $46,970 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,115 (70.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $41,450 – $47,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,318 – $50,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,023 – $53,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,261 – $64,134 |
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 Bangor
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Bangor is promising, with 1,110 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Bangor stands at 96.508, which is below the national average, meaning that CNAs can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power with their earnings. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals typically offer the most competitive pay, often supplemented by shift differentials and weekend premiums. Factors such as weekend-only roles, agency premium pay during staffing shortages, and additional stipends for Certified Medication Aides contribute to the pay variance in the region. To maximize earnings, CNAs should look for opportunities with shifts that include night work or weekends, seek employment with agencies where the premiums are higher, and consider pursuing further certification that can lead to advancement into LPN or RN roles.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $46,970 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bangor 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