Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Amherst Town, MA: $23.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Amherst Town, MA runs $23.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Amherst Town's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,467 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amherst Town, Massachusetts, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly pay of $23.61, which exceeds the national median of $21.64. This higher wage reflects the local demand for skilled healthcare workers in various environments, ranging from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals to home health settings. For part-time CNAs working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a substantial income while allowing flexibility in scheduling. With an hourly range spanning from $19.47 at entry-level positions to $28.85 for experienced professionals, the earning potential can vary significantly. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the competitive pay in the region, contributing to the recruitment and retention efforts in an industry facing ongoing challenges.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.47 | $155.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.97 | $159.75 |
| Median (P50) | $23.61 | $188.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.38 | $195.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.85 | $230.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amherst Town
Based on $23.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.61/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amherst Town, MA can expect to earn approximately $49,111 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,333. With a cost-of-living index of 100.24 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Amherst Town.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amherst Town
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $944.44 | $4,093 | $49,111 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.67 | $2,456 | $29,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.78 | $1,637 | $19,644 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Amherst Town) | $23.61 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Amherst Town, MA earn a median of $49,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,354.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.61/hr = $29,467/year (purchasing power: $29,395).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,111/year (purchasing power: $48,992).
CoL index: 100.243 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Amherst Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Amherst Town grew 42.5% from $15.56/hr (2019) to $22.17/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.15/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst Town metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Amherst Town
Part-time employment as a certified nursing assistant can yield a respectable income, especially for those working a 24-hour schedule over three days, yet regular full-time work often provides additional benefits. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Amherst Town can vary significantly; agency workers might earn between $22 and $32 per hour, and weekend-only contracts may offer premium rates of $30 to $45 per hour. While travel CNA contracts, which offer between $1,000 and $1,800 per week, have become more popular after the pandemic, they remain less common compared to nursing travel. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer, whether in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or hospice care. Additionally, many CNAs weigh the trade-offs between a higher hourly wage without benefits versus a slightly lower rate that includes health insurance. For those looking to negotiate pay, understanding the local market conditions is vital, as well as knowing which employers tend to offer more competitive pay packages in the growing healthcare landscape of Amherst Town.
More salary data for Amherst Town, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Amherst Town. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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