Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $45,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $45,880/year (≈ $22.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $46,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Atlantic City, NJ, averages $45,880, reflecting a competitive edge in comparison to the national median of $45,007. The wage spectrum for CNAs in this region ranges from $40,619 at the lower end to $51,184 for those in the top percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This higher median can be partly attributed to the unique employment dynamics within Atlantic City. With a significant number of CNAs employed in local skilled nursing facilities, the pay structure tends to differ from those working in hospitals or home health agencies, often leading to enhanced wages for those willing to work in environments that require specialized skills or longer shifts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,619 | $19.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,247 | $19.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,640 | $23.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,184 | $24.60 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,565 (2026 est.). At $45,880, the local median is 1.94% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be above the median
How Atlantic City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $45,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,842 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +1.94% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $45,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 11.50% below the New Jersey state average of $51,842.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,620
2025 BLS Actual
$43,080
2026 Current Est.
$45,880
2019–2027 Growth
+70.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 50.5% from $28,620 (2019) to $43,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,242 (70.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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) | $40,619 – $41,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,247 – $45,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,880 – $49,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,640 – $51,184 |
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 Atlantic City
Delving into the local job market, Atlantic City employs approximately 1,450 certified nursing assistants, establishing a robust demand for skilled professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.857, indicating that while wages are solid, the cost of living is slightly below the national average, which may afford CNAs a relatively good purchasing power. Facilities such as hospitals and specialized rehabilitation centers typically offer the highest pay, often fueled by shift differentials: night shifts can yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend shifts may offer bonuses ranging from $1 to $3. Premium pay can also be found in agency roles during staffing shortages or special weekend-only positions. To maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Atlantic City, professionals should consider seeking roles in high-acuity environments and remaining flexible with shift preferences, which can significantly enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
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 $43,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Atlantic City 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