Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $52,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $52,047/year (≈ $25.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $45,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in New Brunswick is projected to be $52,047 annually, significantly surpassing the national median of $45,007. This salary reflects a diverse range where entry-level positions earn approximately $41,071 while experienced professionals can make up to $63,422. The figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local economic conditions, including cost of living factors in New Jersey. For nursing assistants in New Brunswick, the local job market not only offers competitive pay but also a viable pathway towards further credentials such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), providing opportunities for career advancement that can lead to higher earnings.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,071 | $19.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,952 | $21.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,047 | $25.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,187 | $27.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,422 | $30.49 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,351 (2026 est.). At $52,047, the local median is 15.64% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $52,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,839 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +15.64% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $52,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $51,839.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,180 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,299
2025 BLS Actual
$48,870
2026 Current Est.
$52,047
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,051 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,353 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,175 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $34,299 (2019) to $48,870 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,131 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $41,071 – $44,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,952 – $52,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,047 – $58,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,187 – $63,422 |
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 New Brunswick
While only 8 certified nursing assistants currently work in New Brunswick, the area's cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting greater financial pressure on take-home income. This reality translates into a challenging landscape where factors like weekend shifts and premiums can further influence earnings. Positions in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly those involving critical care, tend to offer the highest pay, likely benefiting from increased demand driven by workforce shortages post-COVID. Educational pathways and a focus on certifications can enhance earning potential, allowing CNAs to explore shifts that compensate more generously for evenings and weekends or even agency roles during staffing crises that offer premium pay. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone seeking to enhance their certified nursing assistant pay in New Brunswick, NJ.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New Brunswick, NJ in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in New Brunswick?
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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 $48,870 for certified nursing assistantsin the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick 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