How Much Does a CNA Make in New York in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in New York, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · New York · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in New York earns about $23.36 per hour ($48,590 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 15% above the national figure of $20.32 an hour, and it places New York 3rd among all 51 states for CNA pay. The state also has one of the largest CNA workforces in the country, with 87,990 nursing assistants currently employed.
How much does a CNA make in New York?
CNA pay by career stage in New York
| Career stage | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $38,450$18.49 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $43,760$21.04 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $48,590$23.36 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $51,980$24.99 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $59,890$28.79 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 New York
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in New York · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
New York CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay stood at $33,700 a year; by 2025 it had reached $48,590, a rise of 44% (about $14,890). That pace trails the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same ten years. For someone starting as a CNA in New York now, this record shows pay has moved up most years, though no future increase is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in New York
Pay runs highest in the New York City metro area, where CNAs earn a typical $49,270 a year ($23.69 an hour); these figures cover each city's full metro area. Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Kiryas Joel follow at $45,730, and pay drops furthest out in Elmira, at $37,960, a gap of $11,310 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. A high-cost area like New York City tends to pay more simply to match local living expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs New York | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $49,270 | $23.69 | +1% | 79,480 |
| 2 | Kiryas Joel metro incl. Poughkeepsie · Newburgh | $45,730 | $21.99 | -6% | 2,380 |
| 3 | Ithaca | $45,640 | $21.94 | -6% | 470 |
| 4 | Kingston | $44,710 | $21.50 | -8% | 540 |
| 5 | Binghamton | $44,410 | $21.35 | -9% | 1,310 |
| 6 | Utica metro incl. Rome | $43,560 | $20.94 | -10% | 1,590 |
| 7 | Syracuse | $42,940 | $20.65 | -12% | 3,120 |
| 8 | Albany metro incl. Schenectady · Troy | $40,160 | $19.31 | -17% | 4,200 |
| 9 | Rochester | $40,050 | $19.26 | -18% | 5,130 |
| 10 | Buffalo metro incl. Cheektowaga | $39,790 | $19.13 | -18% | 5,230 |
| 11 | Watertown metro incl. Fort Drum | $38,320 | $18.43 | -21% | 470 |
| 12 | Elmira | $37,960 | $18.25 | -22% | 440 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · New York typical pay $48,590
How New York compares with nearby states
New York pays more than each of its bordering states. Vermont comes closest, at $47,130 a year, about 3% below New York. New Jersey and Massachusetts follow, each around 4% lower, while Connecticut and Pennsylvania pay about 8% less. 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 New York |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $48,590 | baseline |
| Vermont | $47,130 | -3% |
| New Jersey | $46,830 | -4% |
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | -4% |
| Connecticut | $44,790 | -8% |
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | -8% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is New York a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in New York earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $48,590 a year, 15% above the national figure and the 3rd highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in New York, about 9.1 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, New York is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Typical CNA pay in New York now stands at $48,590 a year, up 44% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, the state registry page covers New York's certification requirements. For local figures, check the city pages for New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and other New York metro areas to see how pay compares close to home.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in New York?
- A typical CNA in New York earns $23.36 an hour, or about $48,590 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level CNAs typically start around $18.49 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $28.79 an hour.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in New York?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in New York is $23.36. Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.49 an hour, and experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $28.79 an hour, depending on location and experience.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in New York?
- Starting pay for a CNA in New York typically runs around $18.49 an hour, or about $38,450 a year. As CNAs gain experience, pay climbs toward the typical rate of $23.36 an hour and beyond, with experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $28.79 an hour.
- Which city in New York pays CNAs the most?
- The New York City metro area pays CNAs the most in the state, with typical pay of $49,270 a year ($23.69 an hour). Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Kiryas Joel follow at $45,730 a year, while Elmira sits lowest at $37,960.
- Is CNA pay in New York higher than the national rate?
- Yes. CNA pay in New York is about 15% higher than the national figure. Typical pay is $23.36 an hour ($48,590 a year) in New York, compared with $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year) nationally. New York ranks 3rd among all 51 states for CNA pay.