Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Long Branch, NJ: $50,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Long Branch, NJ earns a median $50,589/year (≈ $24.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Long Branch's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $43,914 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projections for 2026 reveal that the certified nursing assistant salary in Long Branch, NJ, will reach a median of $50,589. This figure is considerably higher than the national median of $45,007, reflecting a 12.40% premium that highlights the local market’s adjustments post-COVID. In the Long Branch area, salaries are expected to range from $40,481 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $62,246 for the highest earners (90th percentile). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest a significant post-pandemic reinvestment in the workforce. The emergence of competitive pay structures positions Long Branch as an appealing location for certified nursing assistants.
About the Long Branch Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,481 | $19.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,865 | $21.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,589 | $24.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,042 | $27.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,246 | $29.93 |
Median Salary Position
12.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Branch
In Long Branch, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,765 (2026 est.). At $50,589, the local median is 12.4% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Branch: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Branch Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Long Branch median: $50,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Branch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,833 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.40% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Long Branch, NJ earn a median of $50,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.40% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% below the New Jersey state average of $51,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Branch has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Branch, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,589 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,914 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,338
2025 BLS Actual
$47,501
2026 Current Est.
$50,589
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Long Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,195 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,501 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Branch metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,338 (2019) to $47,501 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,539 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Branch 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) | $40,481 – $43,865 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,865 – $50,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,589 – $57,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,042 – $62,246 |
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 Long Branch
With only eight certified nursing assistants currently employed in Long Branch, the job market remains relatively tight, which could converge with the rising cost of living reflected in the area’s index of 115.2. While nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies are some of the primary employers in the area, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages. Factors influencing pay variance include shift differentials, agency premium pay during staffing shortages, and additional stipends for certified medication aides. For those looking at how much do certified nursing assistants make in Long Branch, one important strategy is to consider roles with greater shift flexibility, including weekend-only positions that often come with higher pay rates. Taking advantage of these opportunities can effectively enhance one’s income while establishing a path toward further certifications or bridge programs into LPN and RN roles.
More salary data for Long Branch, 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 $47,501 for certified nursing assistantsin the Long Branch 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 Long Branch 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