CNA Salary

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

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

New Haven, CT
$47,957
$23.06/hr
Stamford, CT
$47,871
$23.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$47,957$47,871
Hourly Rate$23.06$23.01
Entry Level (P10)$42,089$38,686
25th Percentile$45,997$42,225
75th Percentile$52,249$54,270
Top Earner (P90)$63,655$59,930
Total Employed3,84027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($47,957) and Stamford ($47,871) certified nursing assistant salaries.New HavenStamfordMedian Salary$47,957$47,871Entry Level (P10)$42,089$38,686Top Earner (P90)$63,655$59,930US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Haven and Stamford is $86 (0.18%). 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 New Haven spans $21,566,Stamford spans $21,244. New Haven has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$42,089
P25$45,997
Median$47,957
P75$52,249
P90 (Top)$63,655
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, New Haven ($45,866 effective) pays 3.38% more than Stamford ($44,366 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $47,957
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $45,866
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 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

Choose Stamford if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in New Haven grew 28.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.5% growth in Stamford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+28.8%

$34,950 (2019) → $45,030 (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: New Haven or Stamford?

New Haven has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,957/year, compared to Stamford at $47,871/year — a difference of $86 (0.18%).

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

New Haven certified nursing assistants earn $23.06/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $23.01/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $45,866, Stamford = $44,366), job availability (3,840 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,089 in New Haven and $38,686 in Stamford. 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