What to Pay a Certified Nursing Assistant in Boston, MA (2026)
How to set your CNA pay range in Boston
Three pay positions, modeled against current Boston market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CNA salary percentile distribution in Boston, MA
Where the Boston market actually sits for CNA base pay.
Most Boston employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($50,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $43,000 and a max of $58,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Massachusetts pay transparency compliance for CNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CNA in Massachusetts.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 25+ employees; role in MA | Civil fine up to $500 first violation; up to $1,000 subsequent |
| Provide pay range to applicants on request | All covered employers | Same schedule |
For a CNA role in Boston, a compliant good-faith range looks like $43,000 to $58,000. A compliant range for this role in Boston is $43,000–$58,000.
Top CNA employers in Boston — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CNAs in the Boston metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass General Brigham | Academic medical center system | $46K–$58K | Common ($2K–$4K) |
| Hebrew SeniorLife | SNF / continuing care | $42K–$54K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
| Beth Israel Lahey Health | Health system | $44K–$56K | Common ($2K–$4K) |
| Steward Health Care | Health system | $40K–$52K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
| Brookdale Senior Living | SNF / assisted living | $38K–$50K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
CNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Boston
How hard is it to fill a CNA role in Boston.
Boston CNA supply is anchored by Hebrew SeniorLife and academic medical center support roles. Mass pay transparency law (2025) has tightened ranges. Bilingual Portuguese and Haitian Creole are strong differentiators.
Skill premiums CNA candidates command in Boston, MA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole) | +4–7% | Very high — multilingual demand |
| Dementia / memory care | +4–6% | Very high |
| Hospice / palliative | +4–6% | High |
| Restorative / lift cert | +3–5% | High |
CNA total compensation in Boston — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CNAs in Boston. "Prevalence" reflects share of Boston disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Boston Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $50,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–18% premium | ~82% |
| Sign-on bonus | $2,500–$5,000 | ~56% |
| Overtime opportunity | $4K–$10K annualized | ~90% |
| Tuition reimbursement (LPN bridge) | $2,500–$4,500/yr | ~40% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$60K–$72K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CNA pay by setting in Boston — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CNA range splits by employer type in the Boston metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNF / LTC | $46,000 | $42K–$52K | Very high |
| Hospital | $54,000 | $48K–$60K | Moderate |
| Home health | $50,000 | $44K–$56K | High |
| Assisted living | $44,000 | $40K–$50K | Tight |
| Hospice | $52,000 | $46K–$58K | Moderate |
CNA salary in Boston vs. other Massachusetts and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Boston | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH | $50,000 | — | Above national avg |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $44,000 | −12.0% | Tight |
| Providence–Warwick, RI-MA | $40,000 | −20.0% | Moderate |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,000 | −8.0% | Above national avg |
| Massachusetts statewide | $46,000 | −8.0% | — |
| U.S. national | $38,200 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Nursing Assistant in Boston, MA
Related CNA pay benchmarks — Massachusetts metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.