Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $46,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $46,337/year (≈ $22.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $43,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is projected to see a median annual salary of $46,337 for certified nursing assistants. This figure represents a slight uptick of 2.96% above the national average of $45,007, signifying where this market is positioned following the adjustments post-COVID. The local salary range spans from $39,385 at the 10th percentile to $52,052 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization among CNAs. These estimates are based on the 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, indicating a utilized floor that suggests the Portsmouth CNA market has stabilized as it navigates the ongoing adjustments from recent staffing challenges in healthcare.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,385 | $18.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,668 | $20.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,337 | $22.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,558 | $23.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,052 | $25.03 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,667 (2026 est.). At $46,337, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be above the median
How Portsmouth Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $46,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $48,268 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +2.96% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $46,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $48,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,337 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,185 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,500
2025 BLS Actual
$43,509
2026 Current Est.
$46,337
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,509 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,349 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 22.6% from $35,500 (2019) to $43,509 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,349 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,849 (39.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $39,385 – $41,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,668 – $46,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,337 – $49,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,558 – $52,052 |
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 Portsmouth
The current workforce in Portsmouth comprises just five certified nursing assistants, highlighting a relatively small job market but underscoring demand within the local healthcare community. Given Portsmouth's cost-of-living index of 107.3, CNAs may find that take-home pay needs to account for higher living expenses compared to the national average. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies typically offer competitive wages, with pay scales influenced by factors like shift differentials, which can yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekend work. The disparity between low and high salaries can also be linked to agency premium pay during staffing shortages and additional stipends or premiums associated with specific certifications. Aspiring CNAs in Portsmouth, NH, should consider strategies such as pursuing agency work during peak demand periods or securing further certifications like CMA to enhance their earning potential and explore pathways toward becoming LPNs or RNs.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 $43,509 for certified nursing assistantsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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