How much does a nursing assistant make in New York?

A nursing assistant in New York earns an estimated $47,750 a year — about $22.96 an hour, with most between $42,100 and $53,360. That's about 13% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and New York's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.

Is New York a good state for nursing assistants?

For pay, New York sits about 13% above the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $47,750 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.

Which city in New York pays nursing assistants the most?

Among New York metros we track, New York tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $49,870 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.

How does New York nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?

The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $47,750 in New York — about 13% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

New York · NY

Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in New York

A nursing assistant in New York earns an estimated $47,750 a year ($22.96/hr) — about 13% above the U.S. average, with most between $42,100 and $53,360. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.

Nursing Assistant (CNA) — New York

Estimated

Median annual pay

$47,750

+13% vs national

Hourly

$22.96/hr

Median $47,750

$38,350Middle 50%: $42,100–$53,360$58,740

Typical range: $42,100–$53,360; What most nurses earn
High end: $58,740; Top earners
Entry level: $38,350; Newer nurses

Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in New York

Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.

City	Est. annual	Est. hourly
New York	$49,870	$23.98
Buffalo	$42,260	$20.32
Rochester	$42,260	$20.32

All New York nurse pay

Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states

How New York compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.

All states

Other nursing roles in New York

Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.

Licensed Practical NurseEst. $72,770/yr Registered NurseEst. $110,230/yr

What affects nursing assistant pay in New York

High pay; very high cost of living in NYC. For a nursing assistant specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.

How this estimate was calculated

The New York figure adjusts the national RN average of $42,260 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.13× (about 13% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official New York wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.

Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.

Use this state estimate as a starting point

It’s a starting point for New York, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in New York make this page more precise over time.

Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary (national)All New York nurse pay Personalize the calculator

Nursing Assistant salary in New York — FAQ

How much does a nursing assistant make in New York?: A nursing assistant in New York earns an estimated $47,750 a year — about $22.96 an hour, with most between $42,100 and $53,360. That's about 13% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and New York's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
Is New York a good state for nursing assistants?: For pay, New York sits about 13% above the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $47,750 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
Which city in New York pays nursing assistants the most?: Among New York metros we track, New York tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $49,870 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
How does New York nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?: The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $47,750 in New York — about 13% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

New York figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.13×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for New York. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.