Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Rochester, NY: $42,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Rochester, NY earns a median $42,653/year (≈ $20.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $43,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is $42,653 for 2026, reflecting the post-COVID wage reset that has established a new floor in the healthcare market. The salary range for this position spans from $40,545 at the 10th percentile to $50,907 at the 90th percentile. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), which indicates that the local job market has adjusted in response to workforce demands and economic factors. Those looking for work in this field will find that the salary figures illustrate the competitive nature of certified nursing assistant pay in Rochester, NY, especially compared to national trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,545 | $19.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,897 | $20.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,653 | $20.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,907 | $24.47 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,362 (2026 est.). At $42,653, the local median is 5.23% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rochester Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $42,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,062 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.23% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Rochester, NY earn a median of $42,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.40% below the New York state average of $46,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,653 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,956 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,240
2025 BLS Actual
$40,050
2026 Current Est.
$42,653
2019–2027 Growth
+50.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,426 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.4% from $30,240 (2019) to $40,050 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,426 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,186 (50.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,545 – $41,897 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,897 – $42,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,653 – $48,000 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,000 – $50,907 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Rochester
Currently, there are about 5,130 certified nursing assistants employed in the Rochester area, indicating a healthy demand for these professionals despite fluctuations in the job market. With a cost-of-living index at 97.035, the purchasing power for CNAs remains slightly above the national average, which is vital for their financial stability. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly on medical/surgical floors and ICUs, typically offer the highest wages. Factors contributing to the pay variability include shift differentials, as night shifts can earn an extra $2-4 per hour, while weekend shifts might add $1-3. Additionally, those with CMA certification might receive stipends, and agencies sometimes offer higher premiums during staffing shortages. For certified nursing assistants in Rochester, maximizing income can involve seeking weekend-only roles, taking on positions in higher-acuity settings, and considering bridge pathways to LPN or RN roles, where opportunities for advancement often lead to significantly higher salaries.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Rochester?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,050 for certified nursing assistantsin the Rochester metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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