Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wayne, NJ: $50,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wayne, NJ earns a median $50,770/year (≈ $24.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $44,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Wayne, New Jersey, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $50,770, outperforming the national median of $45,007 by approximately 12.80%. The local salary range spans from $42,104 at the 10th percentile to $62,694 at the 90th percentile, indicating notable earnings potential based on experience and work setting. These figures, derived from state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the competitive landscape for CNAs in Wayne. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer more competitive wages compared to hospitals, shaping the pay structure across various healthcare environments in the area.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,104 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,268 | $21.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,101 | $27.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,694 | $30.14 |
Median Salary Position
12.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,590 (2026 est.). At $50,770, the local median is 12.8% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wayne median: $50,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $51,859 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.80% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $50,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $51,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,071 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,458
2025 BLS Actual
$47,671
2026 Current Est.
$50,770
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,191 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,339 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,671 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,070 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,458 (2019) to $47,671 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,070 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,612 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $42,104 – $44,268 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,268 – $50,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,770 – $57,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,101 – $62,694 |
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 Wayne
Analyzing the job market reveals that only ten certified nursing assistants are currently employed in Wayne, reflecting a small but stable workforce in an environment where the cost-of-living index sits at 115.2. This higher index means that while salaries are fairly attractive, the actual purchasing power may be impacted. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to compensate employees at higher rates, with opportunities for additional earnings found through shift differentials, especially for night and weekend shifts, which can add $1-4 per hour. Strategies for maximizing pay in Wayne include seeking positions within skilled nursing settings, capitalizing on agency roles during staffing shortages, and pursuing advancement through training pathways to LPN or RN roles. These movements are essential for those aiming to enhance their earning potential in an evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Wayne, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Wayne?
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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 $47,671 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wayne 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 Wayne 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