Nursing Assistant Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nursing Assistants in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$46,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $42,260
State Rank
#10 of 51
32,400 employed here

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in New Jersey?

A Nursing Assistant working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $46,830 per year, or about $22.51 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $42,260 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $38,900 while the top 10% make $55,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,950 and $48,760 a year.

Nursing Assistant salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,900$18.70
25th percentile (early career)$43,950$21.13
50th percentile (median)$46,830$22.51
75th percentile (experienced)$48,760$23.44
90th percentile (top earners)$55,140$26.51

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$49,830
2Washington$49,180
3New York$48,590
4New Hampshire$47,870
5District of Columbia$47,700

Working as a Nursing Assistant in New Jersey

Nationally, about 1,449,000 people work as Nursing Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare New Jersey pay ($46,830) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in New Jersey?
The median Nursing Assistant salary in New Jersey is $46,830 per year, or about $22.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,900 at the entry level to $55,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Nursing Assistants about 11% more than the national median of $42,260. New Jersey ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Nursing Assistants?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,830 a year. About 32,400 Nursing Assistants are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nursing Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.