CNA Salary

Milford vs New Haven: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Milford, CT
$46,172
$22.19/hr
New Haven, CT
$47,957
$23.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilford, CTNew Haven, CT
Median Salary$46,172$47,957
Hourly Rate$22.19$23.06
Entry Level (P10)$38,185$42,089
25th Percentile$41,190$45,997
75th Percentile$52,861$52,249
Top Earner (P90)$58,569$63,655
Total Employed93,840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milford ($46,172) and New Haven ($47,957) certified nursing assistant salaries.MilfordNew HavenMedian Salary$46,172$47,957Entry Level (P10)$38,185$42,089Top Earner (P90)$58,569$63,655US Median $45,007

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Milford.

The salary gap between Milford and New Haven is $1,785 (3.87%). New Haven's median is +6.55% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milford spans $20,384,New Haven spans $21,566. New Haven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Milford
P10 (Entry)$38,185
P25$41,190
Median$46,172
P75$52,861
P90 (Top)$58,569
New Haven
P10 (Entry)$42,089
P25$45,997
Median$47,957
P75$52,249
P90 (Top)$63,655

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($45,866 effective) pays 7.18% more than Milford ($42,791 effective).

Milford
Nominal: $46,172
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $42,791
New Haven
Nominal: $47,957
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $45,866

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milford if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,655)
  • Larger job market (3,840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,866)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Milford grew -2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in New Haven over the same period.

Milford, CT

+-2.2%

$44,310 (2024) → $43,354 (2025)

New Haven, CT

+28.8%

$34,950 (2019) → $45,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Milford or New Haven?

New Haven has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,957/year, compared to Milford at $46,172/year — a difference of $1,785 (3.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milford and New Haven?

Milford certified nursing assistants earn $22.19/hr while New Haven hygienists earn $23.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milford to New Haven as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milford and New Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milford = $42,791, New Haven = $45,866), job availability (9 vs 3,840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Milford vs New Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,185 in Milford and $42,089 in New Haven. The New Haven 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