CNA Salary

Bridgeport vs Stamford: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Stamford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$48,521
$23.32/hr
Stamford, CT
$47,871
$23.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$48,521$47,871
Hourly Rate$23.32$23.01
Entry Level (P10)$41,173$38,686
25th Percentile$46,945$42,225
75th Percentile$50,619$54,270
Top Earner (P90)$57,467$59,930
Total Employed4,50027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($48,521) and Stamford ($47,871) certified nursing assistant salaries.BridgeportStamfordMedian Salary$48,521$47,871Entry Level (P10)$41,173$38,686Top Earner (P90)$57,467$59,930US Median $45,007

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Stamford.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Stamford is $650 (1.36%). Bridgeport's median is +7.81% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $16,294,Stamford spans $21,244. Stamford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$41,173
P25$46,945
Median$48,521
P75$50,619
P90 (Top)$57,467
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$38,686
P25$42,225
Median$47,871
P75$54,270
P90 (Top)$59,930

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($45,404 effective) pays 2.34% more than Stamford ($44,366 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $48,521
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $45,404
Stamford
Nominal: $47,871
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $44,366

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,521/year)
  • Larger job market (4,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,404)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stamford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,930)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Bridgeport grew 33.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.5% growth in Stamford over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+33.2%

$34,200 (2019) → $45,560 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+-0.5%

$45,158 (2024) → $44,949 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Bridgeport or Stamford?

Bridgeport has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,521/year, compared to Stamford at $47,871/year — a difference of $650 (1.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Stamford?

Bridgeport certified nursing assistants earn $23.32/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $23.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Stamford as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $45,404, Stamford = $44,366), job availability (4,500 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Bridgeport vs Stamford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $41,173 in Bridgeport and $38,686 in Stamford. The Bridgeport area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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