Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Massachusetts: $50,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $50,116/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,190 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Barnstable Town ($48,520), Lynn ($47,621), Boston ($47,590).
In Massachusetts, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect to earn an average median salary of $50,116 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $45,007 by 11.4%. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest paying city, Barnstable Town, offering $51,674, while Andover presents the lowest at $46,754. This disparity is driven by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living differences, and specific facility funding levels. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements for CNAs and regulations determining their scope of practice, which can influence salary figures. The state's strong healthcare infrastructure and an aging population contribute to a projected annual growth rate of 6.50% for this occupation, indicating a solid job market outlook. The top five cities for CNA salaries in 2026 are Barnstable Town at $51,674, Lynn at $50,716, Boston at $50,683, Newton at $50,275, and Somerville at $50,052. As the demand for healthcare workers continues to rise, individuals looking to enter this field in Massachusetts can expect promising opportunities and competitive pay.
Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $37,329 (lowest entry-level) to $68,011 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts certified nursing assistants earn 11.35% more than the national median (+$5,109/year difference).
Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Massachusetts range from $42,196 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,080 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,116. The Massachusetts median is $5,109 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.09/hr. Approximately 37,277 certified nursing assistants are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,871
2025 BLS Actual
$47,057
2026 Current Est.
$50,116
2019–2027 Growth
+57.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,677 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,244 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.9% from $33,871 (2019) to $47,057 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,502 (57.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $46,754 |
| Leominster | $46,869 |
| Wellesley | $46,911 |
| Chelmsford | $46,938 |
| Woburn | $46,979 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $51,674 | 98.351 | $52,540 |
| Pittsfield | $49,650 | 95.106 | $52,205 |
| Springfield | $47,648 | 96.061 | $49,602 |
| Amherst Town | $49,107 | 100.243 | $48,988 |
| Worcester | $48,681 | 102.523 | $47,483 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,196 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,116 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,080 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | $51,674 |
| 2 | Lynn | $50,716 |
| 3 | Boston | $50,683 |
| 4 | Newton | $50,275 |
| 5 | Somerville | $50,052 |
| 6 | Revere | $49,974 |
| 7 | Brockton | $49,803 |
| 8 | New Bedford | $49,747 |
| 9 | Plymouth | $49,716 |
| 10 | Pittsfield | $49,650 |
| 11 | Malden | $49,536 |
| 12 | Haverhill | $49,528 |
| 13 | Lowell | $49,515 |
| 14 | Framingham | $49,493 |
| 15 | Cambridge | $49,474 |
| 16 | Peabody | $49,427 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $49,278 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $49,130 |
| 19 | Amherst Town | $49,107 |
| 20 | Randolph | $49,075 |
| 21 | Quincy | $48,989 |
| 22 | Amherst | $48,930 |
| 23 | Chelsea | $48,926 |
| 24 | Medford | $48,793 |
| 25 | Fall River | $48,746 |
| 26 | Marlborough | $48,746 |
| 27 | Watertown | $48,739 |
| 28 | Fitchburg | $48,700 |
| 29 | Worcester | $48,681 |
| 30 | Methuen | $48,681 |
| 31 | Taunton | $48,660 |
| 32 | Arlington | $48,643 |
| 33 | Needham | $48,516 |
| 34 | Westfield | $48,494 |
| 35 | Everett | $48,485 |
| 36 | Northampton | $48,458 |
| 37 | Holyoke | $48,236 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $48,156 |
| 39 | Beverly | $48,156 |
| 40 | Dartmouth | $48,099 |
| 41 | Waltham | $48,050 |
| 42 | Barnstable | $47,998 |
| 43 | Brookline | $47,893 |
| 44 | Billerica | $47,819 |
| 45 | Braintree | $47,658 |
| 46 | Springfield | $47,648 |
| 47 | Salem | $47,578 |
| 48 | Natick | $47,547 |
| 49 | Dracut | $47,298 |
| 50 | Lexington | $47,267 |
| 51 | Stoughton | $47,267 |
| 52 | Shrewsbury | $47,206 |
| 53 | Franklin | $47,079 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $47,041 |
| 55 | Woburn | $46,979 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $46,938 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $46,911 |
| 58 | Leominster | $46,869 |
| 59 | Andover | $46,754 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Massachusetts?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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