Nursing Assistants Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
In Trenton-Princeton, NJ, nursing assistants earn $45,400 at the median — $21.83 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.18), that's roughly $44,001 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,950/month — about 62.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Trenton-Princeton?
About nursing assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Entry-level nursing assistants (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $11K spread from bottom to top.
Nursing Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48K | +22% | 12,800 |
| Washington | $48K | +22% | 28,080 |
| New York | $47K | +20% | 85,310 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +19% | 2,550 |
| California | $46K | +17% | 102,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +16% | 7,190 |
| Alaska | $46K | +16% | 1,660 |
| Maine | $46K | +15% | 8,590 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +15% | 26,970 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +15% | 38,280 |
| Nevada | $45K | +14% | 8,670 |
| New Jersey | $45K | +14% | 31,310 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +13% | 4,620 |
| Illinois | $45K | +13% | 64,660 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +13% | 21,390 |
Track nursing assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Trenton-Princeton numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare Support
Frequently asked questions
How much do nursing assistants make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median is $45,400 a year - that works out to about $21.83 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,350, and experienced nursing assistants can clear $47,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Trenton-Princeton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,125/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,950/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 62.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a nursing assistants salary go in Trenton-Princeton?
Trenton-Princeton has a Regional Price Parity of 103.18 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nursing assistants salary is worth about $44,001 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nursing assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.