Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Montclair, NJ: $51,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Montclair, NJ earns a median $51,337/year (≈ $24.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $44,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Montclair, NJ can expect a median annual salary of $51,337, significantly higher than the national median of $45,007. The wage range for local CNAs spans from $42,123 at the lower end to $59,669 at the high end. These salary figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, and illustrate Montclair's competitive pay scale when compared to other regions. As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to grow, many CNAs consider pursuing further qualifications, particularly transitioning to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) status to enhance their earning potential and job opportunities in the local healthcare ecosystem.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,123 | $20.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,432 | $22.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,337 | $24.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,756 | $26.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,669 | $28.69 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,546 (2026 est.). At $51,337, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be above the median
How Montclair Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Montclair median: $51,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,856 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +14.06% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $51,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $51,856.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,337 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,563 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,832
2025 BLS Actual
$48,204
2026 Current Est.
$51,337
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,189 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,573 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,573 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,674 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,832 (2019) to $48,204 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,674 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,842 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $42,123 – $47,432 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,432 – $51,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,337 – $55,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,756 – $59,669 |
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 Montclair
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Montclair is relatively tight, with only 10 CNAs currently employed in the area, suggesting a supportive environment for job seekers in this field. The cost of living in Montclair, indexed at 115.2, emphasizes the necessity for competitive salaries to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay rates, particularly for CNAs working during night shifts or weekends, where pay can increase by $2 to $4 per hour based on shift differentials. Additionally, those who secure weekend-only roles or gain certifications such as CMA may find themselves positioned to earn more. To maximize their pay, CNAs in Montclair can strategically choose to work in higher-acuity facilities that offer enhanced pay grades while also considering agency work during staffing shortages, which can provide substantial premium pay.
More salary data for Montclair, 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 $48,204 for certified nursing assistantsin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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