Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Essex Junction, VT: $44,038 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Essex Junction, VT earns a median $44,038/year (≈ $21.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Essex Junction's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $42,549 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Essex Junction, Vermont, can anticipate a median annual salary of $44,038, which is slightly lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role within the area varies significantly, from $36,351 at the lower end to $52,496 for those at the higher end, reflecting the diverse settings and specializations available to CNAs. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted for local cost variations. With a steadily growing job market, this salary landscape offers opportunities for CNAs to consider advancing their careers into licensed practical nurse (LPN) roles, which often come with increased earning potential and responsibilities.
About the Essex Junction Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,351 | $17.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,512 | $19.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,038 | $21.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,874 | $23.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,496 | $25.24 |
Median Salary Position
2.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Essex Junction
In Essex Junction, VT, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,145 (2026 est.). At $44,038, the local median is 2.15% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Essex Junction: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Essex Junction Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Essex Junction median: $44,038/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Essex Junction Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $46,601 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -2.15% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Essex Junction, VT earn a median of $44,038 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.15% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.50% below the Vermont state average of $46,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Essex Junction has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Essex Junction, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $44,038 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,549 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,021
2025 BLS Actual
$41,350
2026 Current Est.
$44,038
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Essex Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,657 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,377 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,038 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Essex Junction metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,021 (2019) to $41,350 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,879 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Essex Junction 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) | $36,351 – $40,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,512 – $44,038 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,038 – $48,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,874 – $52,496 |
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 Essex Junction
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Essex Junction is relatively small, with only six individuals currently employed in this capacity. The local cost of living index at 103.5 indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which might impact overall purchasing power for these workers. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities typically offer the most competitive wages, as they often experience high demands for care staff. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, with night shifts earning an additional $2-4 per hour, and weekends providing premiums of $1-3 per hour. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Essex Junction VT, pursuing weekend-only roles and obtaining additional certifications such as CMA can be beneficial strategies, particularly in a post-COVID environment where staffing shortages have driven notable wage increases in the sector.
More salary data for Essex Junction, VT:
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 $41,350 for certified nursing assistantsin the Essex Junction 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 Essex Junction 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