Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New York: $50,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $50,489/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,563 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($49,270), Poughkeepsie ($46,434), Kiryas Joel ($45,730).
In 2026, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in New York is projected to be $50,490, which exceeds the national median of $45,007 by 12.2%. The highest paying city in the state is New York, where CNAs can expect to earn approximately $52,473, while Elmira offers the lowest salaries at $40,427. The significant salary gap between these cities is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of positions in urban versus rural areas. New York has specific state licensing requirements for CNAs, including completion of a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. The scope of practice laws further define the roles CNAs can perform, which can affect job responsibilities and potential earnings. The state’s job market for CNAs shows a promising growth rate of 6.50% annually, reflecting strong demand for healthcare services driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Overall, for those pursuing a career as a CNA in New York, the outlook appears favorable with competitive salaries and ample job opportunities across various regions in the state.
New York Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $33,977 (lowest entry-level) to $64,464 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York certified nursing assistants earn 12.18% more than the national median (+$5,482/year difference).
New York Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in New York range from $44,531 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,516 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,489. The New York median is $5,482 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.28/hr. Approximately 104,614 certified nursing assistants are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,456
2025 BLS Actual
$47,408
2026 Current Est.
$50,489
2019–2027 Growth
+47.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,725 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 30.0% from $36,456 (2019) to $47,408 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,315 (47.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Elmira | $40,427 |
| Watertown | $40,811 |
| Schenectady | $41,842 |
| Buffalo | $42,376 |
| Cortland | $42,413 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton | $47,297 | 92.863 | $50,932 |
| Utica | $46,391 | 92.678 | $50,056 |
| Syracuse | $45,731 | 95.742 | $47,765 |
| Kingston | $47,616 | 100.709 | $47,281 |
| Ithaca | $48,607 | 103.317 | $47,046 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,531 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,489 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,516 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $52,473 |
| 2 | Poughkeepsie | $49,452 |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $48,702 |
| 4 | Ithaca | $48,607 |
| 5 | Newburgh | $47,645 |
| 6 | Kingston | $47,616 |
| 7 | Binghamton | $47,297 |
| 8 | Yonkers | $47,248 |
| 9 | Utica | $46,391 |
| 10 | New Rochelle | $46,273 |
| 11 | Rome | $45,919 |
| 12 | Mount Vernon | $45,756 |
| 13 | Syracuse | $45,731 |
| 14 | Long Beach | $45,403 |
| 15 | Niagara Falls | $45,379 |
| 16 | Spring Valley | $44,892 |
| 17 | White Plains | $44,832 |
| 18 | Jamestown | $44,778 |
| 19 | Valley Stream | $44,707 |
| 20 | Middletown | $44,520 |
| 21 | Hempstead | $44,471 |
| 22 | Saratoga Springs | $44,252 |
| 23 | North Tonawanda | $43,991 |
| 24 | Glens Falls | $43,809 |
| 25 | Auburn | $43,777 |
| 26 | Freeport | $43,652 |
| 27 | Troy | $43,617 |
| 28 | Oswego | $43,199 |
| 29 | Lackawanna | $43,109 |
| 30 | Amsterdam | $43,088 |
| 31 | Oneonta | $42,984 |
| 32 | Albany | $42,770 |
| 33 | Rochester | $42,653 |
| 34 | Plattsburgh | $42,540 |
| 35 | Cortland | $42,413 |
| 36 | Buffalo | $42,376 |
| 37 | Schenectady | $41,842 |
| 38 | Watertown | $40,811 |
| 39 | Elmira | $40,427 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in New York cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in New York?
How does New York certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in New York?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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