Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Burlington, VT: $64,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Burlington, VT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $64,347/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $63,742 in average-cost America. The 25% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, VT, achieving top-tier compensation as a certified nursing assistant can lead to substantial financial rewards, with the 2026 projected salary for the 90th percentile reaching $64,347. The senior certified nursing assistant pay reflects both experience and skill level, creating a significant gap of $13,025 above the median annual salary of $51,322 for this profession. The ability to secure such salaries often requires a combination of advanced certifications and extensive on-the-job experience, typically exceeding seven years. Aspiring professionals should focus on enhancing their skill sets and possibly pursuing roles that offer specialty care, which not only enriches their expertise but can also lead to better pay outcomes in a competitive market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $60,939 and $64,347 per year (2026 est.). This $21,151 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $51,322 sits 14.03% above the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $51,322 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,939 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $64,347 | $55,359 |
In Burlington, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 25.38% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Vermont
VT certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $51,322 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $60,939–$64,347 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area, which is a large CNA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced certified nursing assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured certified nursing assistants in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Certified Nursing Assistants in Vermont who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #1 of 9 Vermont cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $64,347).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Burlington ($64,347) is 0.72% above the Vermont average P90 ($63,888).
2019 BLS Actual
$37,830
2025 BLS Actual
$60,420
2026 Current Est.
$64,347
2019–2027 Growth
+81.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,530 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 59.7% from $37,830 in 2019 to $60,420 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 6.50% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $68,530 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Certified Nursing Assistant Earnings in Burlington
Specialization plays a vital role in determining compensation for experienced certified nursing assistants in Burlington. Areas such as restorative care, medication management, and dementia care can command higher salaries, often surpassing typical earnings for general nursing assistant roles. Employers across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospi-tals, and home health agencies, differ in compensation levels. For instance, hospitals may offer enhanced pay for roles on medical/surgical floors or intensive care units. Career advancement is also an option, with pathways available for those looking to transition toward roles such as charge CNA or unit secretary. Pursuing further education, including CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge programs, can further amplify earning potential. Shift differentials and weekend-only roles increase overall pay, while additional certifications, such as CPR/BLS or dementia care, contribute positively to the senior certified nursing assistant salary in Burlington, providing a pathway to better financial stability in a steadily growing sector.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Burlington?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Burlington?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Burlington?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $60,420 for certified nursing assistants in the Burlington metro area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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