Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Brookline, MA: $47,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Brookline, MA earns a median $47,893/year (≈ $23.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Brookline's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $44,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those eyeing a career shift towards nursing, the certified nursing assistant salary in Brookline, MA, signals promising potential. With a projected median of $47,893 in 2026, CNAs can expect to earn between $39,000 and $58,246 annually, depending on various factors such as experience and workplace type. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the local cost of living, demonstrate how Brookline's compensation is competitive compared to many regions, surpassing the national median of $45,007 by approximately 6.41%. This upward trend is reflective of an area that values its healthcare workforce and acknowledges the challenges faced by CNAs, especially following recent staffing shortages exacerbated by the pandemic.
About the Brookline Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,893 | $23.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,377 | $26.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,246 | $28.00 |
Median Salary Position
6.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookline
In Brookline, MA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,246 (2026 est.). At $47,893, the local median is 6.41% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookline Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Brookline median: $47,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $49,374 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +6.41% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Brookline, MA earn a median of $47,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookline has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookline, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,893 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,141 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,562
2025 BLS Actual
$44,970
2026 Current Est.
$47,893
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Brookline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,254 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookline metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,562 (2019) to $44,970 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,444 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline 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) | $39,000 – $42,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,270 – $47,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,893 – $54,377 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,377 – $58,246 |
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 Brookline
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Brookline remains relatively robust, with only 13 individuals currently working in this role, indicating a small but potentially tight-knit community. The region's cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are higher than the national average, the expenses associated with living in Brookline can influence take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly those with intensive care units, tend to offer the most competitive pay rates. Variations in salary can stem from factors like shift differentials, which may add an extra $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and premium rates for weekend work. To maximize earnings in this competitive field, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing additional certifications like CMA or targeting high-acuity facilities, both of which can enhance income potential significantly.
More salary data for Brookline, MA:
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 $44,970 for certified nursing assistantsin the Brookline 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 Brookline 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