Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Passaic, NJ: $50,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Passaic, NJ earns a median $50,749/year (≈ $24.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $44,053 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The certified nursing assistant salary in Passaic, NJ, is projected to hit a median of $50,749 in 2026, showcasing a notable rebound following the post-COVID wage reset. This figure reflects a broader market adjustment, with salaries range from $42,054 at the 10th percentile to as high as $64,480 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living differences, which currently sits at a higher index of 115.2 compared to the national average. This upward trend in salaries indicates a commitment to improving compensation in the healthcare sector, particularly given the ongoing demand for certified nursing assistants in the area.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,054 | $20.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,337 | $21.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,749 | $24.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,165 | $27.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,426 (2026 est.). At $50,749, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Passaic median: $50,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,838 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.76% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $50,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $51,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,749 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,053 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,444
2025 BLS Actual
$47,652
2026 Current Est.
$50,749
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,444 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,786 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,177 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,074 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,652 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,444 (2019) to $47,652 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,604 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $42,054 – $45,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,337 – $50,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,749 – $58,165 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,165 – $64,480 |
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 Passaic
With only 18 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Passaic, the local job market remains competitive yet promising. The elevated cost of living implies that potential earnings must be weighed against living expenses, directly impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer the most competitive salaries, typically exceeding average pay scales. Factors influencing this salary variation include shift differentials—where night shifts can yield an additional $2-4 per hour—and premium pay for weekends and agency work. To optimize earnings within this specific market, certified nursing assistants may benefit from exploring opportunities in higher-acuity settings, pursuing additional certifications, and seeking roles that provide weekend and night differentials, which are commonly more lucrative.
More salary data for Passaic, 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 $47,652 for certified nursing assistantsin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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