Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Poughkeepsie, NY: $49,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Poughkeepsie, NY earns a median $49,452/year (≈ $23.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Poughkeepsie's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $42,668 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Poughkeepsie, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $49,452, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $45,007. This local estimate indicates a salary range that spans from $40,139 at the lower end (P10) to $58,713 for the highest earners (P90). The figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, demonstrate how Poughkeepsie's unique healthcare landscape, characterized by both skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, impacts pay dynamics. With a local cost of living index of 115.9, healthcare providers in this area must offer attractive compensation to retain qualified staff in a post-COVID recovery context.
About the Poughkeepsie Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,139 | $19.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,453 | $20.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,452 | $23.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,461 | $26.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,713 | $28.22 |
Median Salary Position
9.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poughkeepsie
In Poughkeepsie, NY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,574 (2026 est.). At $49,452, the local median is 9.88% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Poughkeepsie Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Poughkeepsie median: $49,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poughkeepsie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,045 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +9.88% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Poughkeepsie, NY earn a median of $49,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 7.40% above the New York state average of $46,045.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poughkeepsie has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poughkeepsie, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,668 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,590
2025 BLS Actual
$46,434
2026 Current Est.
$49,452
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Poughkeepsie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,292 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,973 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,228 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poughkeepsie metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $32,590 (2019) to $46,434 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,077 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poughkeepsie 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) | $40,139 – $43,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,453 – $49,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,452 – $54,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,461 – $58,713 |
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 Poughkeepsie
Currently, five certified nursing assistants are employed in Poughkeepsie, underscoring a market that is healing but still competitive. The cost-of-living reality, represented by the higher-than-average index, affects disposable income and purchasing power for CNAs. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest wages, which can be enhanced through strategies like taking on night shifts that usually pay an additional $2-4/hour or weekend shifts with a $1-3 increase. Factors such as agency work during staffing shortages and special stipends for certified medication administration (CMA) can further drive compensation. To maximize earnings in this market, CNAs should consider pursuing educational pathways to LPN or RN positions, which often lead to substantially higher salaries and greater job stability.
More salary data for Poughkeepsie, NY:
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 $46,434 for certified nursing assistantsin the Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie 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