Nursing Assistant salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Nursing Assistants in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $47,590 a year ($22.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,450 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $46,680. There are 9.7 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| 25th percentile | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Median | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| 75th percentile | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Average (mean) | $48,730 | $23.43 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,982.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,830.38 |
| Weekly | $915.19 |
| Hourly | $22.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $48,520 | 1,030 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $46,620 | 810 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $46,400 | 2,410 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,330 | 13,030 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $46,110 | 540 |
| Worcester, MA | $45,710 | 5,250 |
| Springfield, MA | $44,740 | 2,930 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Orderly | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,740 | $24.39 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Massage Therapist | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,140 | $18.34 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $47,590 a year, or $22.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $59,450 a year. The top 25% earn $50,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,190 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $44,940 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 26,130 nursing assistants are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.