Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $52,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $52,323/year (≈ $25.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $45,419 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, certified nursing assistants are poised to earn a median annual salary of $52,323 in 2026, notably outperforming the national median of $45,007 by 16.26%. The local salary range for these professionals spans from $43,158 at the 10th percentile to $66,982 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles within the field. These projections are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional living costs, which are indicated by a cost of living index of 115.2, marking Elizabeth as a city where expenses exceed the national average. With 25 certified nursing assistants currently employed in the area, the local job market reflects an ongoing demand, particularly as many CNAs consider advancing their careers through the nursing bridge programs toward LPN or RN certifications.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,158 | $20.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,935 | $22.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,323 | $25.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,073 | $28.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,982 | $32.21 |
Median Salary Position
16.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,824 (2026 est.). At $52,323, the local median is 16.26% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $52,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,857 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +16.26% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $52,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.26% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $51,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,323 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,419 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,482
2025 BLS Actual
$49,130
2026 Current Est.
$52,323
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,865 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,502 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $34,482 (2019) to $49,130 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,242 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $43,158 – $46,935 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,935 – $52,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,323 – $60,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,073 – $66,982 |
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 Elizabeth
The local job market shows strength, with Elizabeth employing a modest number of certified nursing assistants. However, the cost of living index suggests that salaries, while competitive, face pressure from higher regional expenses. Employers, including skilled nursing facilities and various healthcare settings like hospitals and rehabilitation centers, differ widely in pay. Shift differentials can lead to significant earnings boosts, with night shifts often providing an extra $2-4 per hour and weekend shifts an additional $1-3. The spread between the lower and higher ends of compensation can also be attributed to more complex roles or the critical need for staffing during peak periods. For those seeking higher pay, pursuing agency roles during high-demand times or securing weekend-only positions could yield beneficial financial returns in this specific Elizabeth market.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Elizabeth?
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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 $49,130 for certified nursing assistantsin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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