Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $51,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $51,443/year (≈ $24.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $44,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, NJ, the financial prospects for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are promising, with a projected median annual salary of $51,443 in 2026. This figure exceeds the national median by about 14.30%, highlighting the competitive nature of the local job market. Salaries for CNAs range from $41,283 at the lower 10th percentile to $66,006 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential for those who demonstrate experience and skill. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, reflect the dynamics of the healthcare environment in Lakewood, where the demand for CNAs continues to grow amid efforts to bridge into higher nursing credentials.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,283 | $19.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,118 | $21.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,443 | $24.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,152 | $28.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,006 | $31.74 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,723 (2026 est.). At $51,443, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $51,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,858 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +14.30% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $51,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $51,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,443 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,655 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,901
2025 BLS Actual
$48,303
2026 Current Est.
$51,443
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,901 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,901 (2019) to $48,303 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,885 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $41,283 – $45,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,118 – $51,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,443 – $59,152 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,152 – $66,006 |
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 Lakewood
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Lakewood comprises approximately 31 professionals, which reveals a moderate but active local workforce. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, signaling that while salaries may be favorable, the expense of living in Lakewood necessitates higher wages to maintain purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer the highest pay, especially for roles requiring weekend shifts, which may include bonuses of $1-4 per hour. The significant pay differential reflects various factors, including shift differentials, agency premium pay during staffing shortages, and the growing demand for CNAs to fill critical roles in healthcare settings. Maximizing earnings in this environment involves pursuing certification upgrades, picking shifts carefully, and seeking positions that offer premium pay opportunities, positioning CNAs for better financial stability in Lakewood, NJ.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $48,303 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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