Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Amherst, MA: $48,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Amherst, MA earns a median $48,930/year (≈ $23.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a certified nursing assistant salary in Amherst, Massachusetts is projected to reach an annual median of $48,930, reflecting an attractive pay scale compared to the national figure of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $38,947 at the lower end (P10) to $56,948 at the upper end (P90), indicating diverse potential earnings based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, tailored for regional pricing dynamics unique to Amherst. With the ongoing push for certified nursing assistants to advance their careers into licensed practical nurse (LPN) roles, obtaining higher credentials can significantly enhance earning potential, making this a strategic time to consider further education and training in this field.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,947 | $18.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,255 | $21.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,930 | $23.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,187 | $25.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,948 | $27.38 |
Median Salary Position
8.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,001 (2026 est.). At $48,930, the local median is 8.72% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be above the median
How Amherst Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Amherst median: $48,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $49,375 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.72% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Amherst, MA earn a median of $48,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.72% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,375.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,930 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,097 — a 7.83% 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
$32,246
2025 BLS Actual
$45,944
2026 Current Est.
$48,930
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,246 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,539 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,877 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,944 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,246 (2019) to $45,944 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,865 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $38,947 – $45,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,255 – $48,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,930 – $53,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,187 – $56,948 |
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 Amherst
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Amherst remains relatively stable, with six CNAs currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 108.5, which indicates that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power can be a concern for residents. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often provide the highest compensation, particularly those focusing on medical/surgical care and intensive care, where acuity can drive pay rates. Additionally, the variance in pay between the lower and higher ends can be affected by factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts typically secure an extra $2 to $4 per hour—and weekend premiums that range from $1 to $3 additional per hour. To maximize earnings in Amherst, seeking positions that offer agency pay or specialized stipends for certified medication aides (CMAs) can substantially improve overall salary, especially in environments experiencing staffing shortages.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Amherst, MA in 2026?
Is Amherst, MA a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Amherst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Amherst?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Amherst?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $45,944 for certified nursing assistantsin the Amherst 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
Salary data for Amherst is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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