Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Hamilton, NJ: $50,396 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Hamilton, NJ earns a median $50,396/year (≈ $24.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Hamilton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $43,747 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hamilton, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is projected to reach a median of $50,396, which reflects a competitive landscape compared to the national median of $45,007, offering a 11.97% increase. The salary range for certified nursing assistants here spans from $41,155 at the lower end (P10) to $61,362 for those at the top of the scale (P90). These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional costs, highlighting the financial opportunities available in skilled nursing versus hospital employment. Given that the local market also faces challenges from staffing shortages, this gap may influence pay differentials across different healthcare settings in the area.
About the Hamilton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,155 | $19.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,605 | $21.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,396 | $24.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,275 | $27.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,362 | $29.50 |
Median Salary Position
11.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hamilton
In Hamilton, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,207 (2026 est.). At $50,396, the local median is 11.97% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hamilton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hamilton Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Hamilton median: $50,396/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hamilton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,848 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +11.97% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Hamilton, NJ earn a median of $50,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.97% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $51,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hamilton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hamilton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,396 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,747 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,211
2025 BLS Actual
$47,320
2026 Current Est.
$50,396
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Hamilton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,544 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,939 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,774 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,789 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,396 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hamilton metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,211 (2019) to $47,320 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,461 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hamilton 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) | $41,155 – $44,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,605 – $50,396 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,396 – $56,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,275 – $61,362 |
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 Hamilton
Analyzing the job market in Hamilton, only 21 certified nursing assistants are currently employed, indicating a relatively tight workforce. The local cost of living index of 115.2 suggests that while salaries are attractive, they also need to be sufficient to navigate higher living expenses. Typically, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals offer the most competitive pay, with potential shift differentials that boost hourly earnings by $2-4 for night shifts and an additional $1-3 for weekend shifts. Those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Hamilton, NJ, should consider seeking roles in high-acuity environments or facilities that provide weekend-only premium positions. Additionally, obtaining further certifications such as the CMA can lead to increased earnings and open pathways towards nursing positions in LPN or RN roles, facilitating career advancement and potentially greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Hamilton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Hamilton?
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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 $47,320 for certified nursing assistantsin the Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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