Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Rhode Island: $49,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $49,296/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,051 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($47,270), Providence ($46,330), Pawtucket ($42,425).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Rhode Island can expect an average median salary of $49,296, which is 9.5% higher than the national median of $45,007. This difference reflects Rhode Island's specific economic conditions and the demand for healthcare professionals. The highest paying city for CNAs is Warwick at $50,343, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $41,734, creating a salary gap of $8,609. Factors influencing this disparity include variations in the cost of living, healthcare facility funding, and the local demand for nursing staff. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern CNAs, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet patient care needs within the state's healthcare system. Additionally, the job market for CNAs is expected to grow at an annual compounded growth rate of 6.50%, driven by the aging population and increasing healthcare service demands. With 13,159 certified nursing assistants currently employed, the top projected salaries in other cities include Providence at $49,341, Pawtucket at $45,183, East Providence at $44,834, and West Warwick at $44,715. This solid growth trajectory highlights a favorable job outlook for CNAs in Rhode Island in the coming years.
Rhode Island Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $35,295 (lowest entry-level) to $62,111 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island certified nursing assistants earn 9.53% more than the national median (+$4,289/year difference).
Rhode Island Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Rhode Island range from $41,722 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,406 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,296. The Rhode Island median is $4,289 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $23.70/hr. Approximately 13,159 certified nursing assistants are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,690
2025 BLS Actual
$46,287
2026 Current Est.
$49,296
2019–2027 Growth
+65.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,287 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 46.1% from $31,690 (2019) to $46,287 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,810 (65.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $41,734 |
| Westerly | $42,240 |
| Bristol | $42,818 |
| South Kingstown | $42,935 |
| Cumberland | $43,048 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $50,343 | 100.5 | $50,093 |
| Providence | $49,341 | 101.773 | $48,481 |
| Pawtucket | $45,183 | 100.5 | $44,958 |
| East Providence | $44,834 | 100.5 | $44,611 |
| West Warwick | $44,715 | 100.5 | $44,493 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,722 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,296 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,406 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $50,343 |
| 2 | Providence | $49,341 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $45,183 |
| 4 | East Providence | $44,834 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $44,715 |
| 6 | Coventry | $44,504 |
| 7 | Cranston | $44,243 |
| 8 | Johnston | $43,740 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $43,723 |
| 10 | Newport | $43,483 |
| 11 | North Providence | $43,396 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $43,382 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $43,048 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $42,935 |
| 15 | Bristol | $42,818 |
| 16 | Westerly | $42,240 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $41,734 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Rhode Island?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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