How Much Does a CNA Make in Massachusetts in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Massachusetts, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Massachusetts · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Massachusetts earns about $22.44 per hour ($46,680 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 10% higher than the national pay of $42,260 a year, and it places Massachusetts 11th among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for CNA pay. The state's CNA workforce totals roughly 38,130 workers, spread across hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies statewide.
How much does a CNA make in Massachusetts?
CNA pay by career stage in Massachusetts
| Career stage | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $39,380$18.93 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $44,340$21.32 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $46,680$22.44 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $49,800$23.94 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $57,880$27.83 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 Massachusetts
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Massachusetts · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Massachusetts CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $29,120 in 2015 to $46,680 in 2025, a 60% rise. That trails the national CNA pay rise of 64% over the same stretch. Pay has moved up consistently each year since 2015, and someone starting as a CNA in Massachusetts today enters a field where wages have been trending upward, though no future rise is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Massachusetts
Pay varies by metro across Massachusetts. Barnstable Town leads at $48,520 a year, followed by Boston at $47,590 and Pittsfield at $46,620. Springfield sits at the low end of the listed metros, at $44,740. The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas is $3,780 a year.
These figures cover each city's full metro area. Cost of living plays a role in that gap: cities with higher pay often carry higher housing and everyday costs to match.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Massachusetts | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | $48,520 | $23.33 | +4% | 1,030 |
| 2 | Boston | $47,590 | $22.88 | +2% | 26,130 |
| 3 | Pittsfield | $46,620 | $22.41 | 0% | 810 |
| 4 | Warwick | $46,330 | $22.27 | -1% | 13,030 |
| 5 | Amherst Town metro incl. Northampton | $46,110 | $22.17 | -1% | 540 |
| 6 | Worcester | $45,710 | $21.98 | -2% | 5,250 |
| 7 | Springfield | $44,740 | $21.51 | -4% | 2,930 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Massachusetts typical pay $46,680
How Massachusetts compares with nearby states
Neighboring states pay CNAs at similar but not identical rates. New York pays CNAs somewhat more, at $48,590 a year, about 4% above Massachusetts, while Connecticut pays less, at $44,790, about 4% below. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | baseline |
| New York | $48,590 | +4% |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | +3% |
| Vermont | $47,130 | +1% |
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | -1% |
| Connecticut | $44,790 | -4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Massachusetts a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Massachusetts earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $46,680 a year, 10% above the national figure, ranking 11th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Massachusetts, about 10 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, Massachusetts is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
CNA pay in Massachusetts now stands at $46,680 a year ($22.44 an hour), up 60% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, check the Massachusetts state registry page for CNA requirements; for pay in a specific city, see the local city pages for exact figures.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Massachusetts?
- A CNA in Massachusetts typically earns **$22.44 an hour**, or about **$46,680 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's above the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Massachusetts?
- Hourly pay for CNAs in Massachusetts typically runs **$22.44**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.93 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $27.83 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Massachusetts?
- Entry-level CNAs in Massachusetts typically start around **$18.93 an hour** (about $39,380 a year). As experience builds, pay often rises toward $21.32 an hour, or roughly $44,340 a year, within the first few years on the job.
- Which city in Massachusetts pays CNAs the most?
- Barnstable Town pays the most among Massachusetts metro areas tracked, with CNAs typically earning **$48,520 a year** ($23.33 an hour). Boston follows at $47,590 a year. Pay across the state's metros stays within about $3,780 a year of each other.
- Is CNA pay in Massachusetts higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Massachusetts CNAs typically earn **$46,680 a year**, about **10% more** than the national figure of $42,260. The state ranks 11th out of 51 among states and D.C. for CNA pay.