How Much Does a CNA Make in Connecticut in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Connecticut, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Connecticut · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Connecticut earns about $21.53 per hour ($44,790 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 6% above the national figure of $42,260 a year. Connecticut ranks 20th among all 50 states and the District of Columbia for CNA pay.
Roughly 21,380 CNAs work across the state, giving a sense of how many people work in the role day to day.
How much does a CNA make in Connecticut?
CNA pay by career stage in Connecticut
| Career stage | Connecticut | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $38,660$18.59 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $41,900$20.14 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $44,790$21.53 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,180$22.68 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $53,870$25.90 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Connecticut
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Connecticut · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Connecticut CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $30,750 in 2015 to $44,790 in 2025, a rise of 46%. Nationally, CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Connecticut's increase has trailed the national pace even as the dollar figure kept climbing.
For someone starting out now, that decade-long climb shows pay has generally moved upward, with no guarantee of future increases.
CNA salary by city in Connecticut
Pay runs highest in the Bridgeport, Stamford, and Danbury metro areas, where CNAs typically earn $45,560 a year. New Haven follows closely at $45,030. At the lower end, the Shelton metro area reports $43,010, putting the full spread between Connecticut's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas at $2,550.
City figures cover each metro area as a whole. A higher paycheck in one part of the state often lines up with a higher cost of living there too.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Connecticut | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $45,560 | $21.90 | +2% | 4,500 |
| 2 | New Haven | $45,030 | $21.65 | +1% | 3,840 |
| 3 | Hartford metro incl. West Hartford · East Hartford | $44,340 | $21.32 | -1% | 7,990 |
| 4 | Norwich metro incl. New London · Willimantic | $44,210 | $21.26 | -1% | 1,610 |
| 5 | Waterbury metro incl. Shelton | $43,010 | $20.68 | -4% | 2,190 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Connecticut typical pay $44,790
How Connecticut compares with nearby states
Connecticut's neighbors all pay somewhat more. New York leads the region at $48,590 a year, about 8% above Connecticut. Massachusetts ($46,680) and Rhode Island ($46,440) both run about 4% higher. A CNA licensed in Connecticut can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so it helps to know how nearby pay compares.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $44,790 | baseline |
| New York | $48,590 | +8% |
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | +4% |
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | +4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Connecticut a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Connecticut earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $44,790 a year, 6% above the national figure, ranking 20th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Connecticut, about 13 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Taken together, Connecticut is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Connecticut CNAs typically earn $44,790 a year ($21.53 an hour), a figure that has climbed 46% over the past decade. For certification requirements, check Connecticut's state registry page. For local figures in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, or elsewhere, the city pages break down pay by metro area.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Connecticut?
- A CNA in Connecticut typically earns **$21.53 an hour**, or about **$44,790 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level CNAs often start closer to $38,660 a year, while experienced CNAs can earn upwards of $53,870.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Connecticut?
- Connecticut CNAs typically earn **$21.53 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.59 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $25.90 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Connecticut?
- Entry-level CNAs in Connecticut typically start around **$18.59 an hour**, or about **$38,660 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay rises with experience, with typical pay reaching $21.53 an hour statewide.
- Which city in Connecticut pays CNAs the most?
- The Bridgeport, Stamford, and Danbury metro areas pay Connecticut's highest CNA wages, with typical pay of **$45,560 a year**. New Haven follows at $45,030. The lowest among the state's tracked metro areas is Shelton, at $43,010.
- Is CNA pay in Connecticut higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Connecticut CNAs typically earn **$44,790 a year**, about **6% above** the national figure of $42,260. Connecticut ranks 20th among all 50 states and the District of Columbia for CNA pay.