Nursing Assistant salary in New York
Nursing Assistants in New York earn a median of $48,590 a year ($23.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 87,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,890 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $42,260. New York ranks 3rd of 51 states for nursing assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 9.1 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| 25th percentile | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Median | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 75th percentile | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Average (mean) | $48,800 | $23.46 |
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 | $4,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,024.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,868.85 |
| Weekly | $934.42 |
| Hourly | $23.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $49,270 | 79,480 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $45,730 | 2,380 |
| Ithaca, NY | $45,640 | 470 |
| Kingston, NY | $44,710 | 540 |
| Binghamton, NY | $44,410 | 1,310 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $43,560 | 1,590 |
| Syracuse, NY | $42,940 | 3,120 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $40,160 | 4,200 |
| Rochester, NY | $40,050 | 5,130 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,790 | 5,230 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $38,320 | 470 |
| Elmira, NY | $37,960 | 440 |
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 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Orderly | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,040 | $18.29 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for nursing assistants in New York is $48,590 a year, or $23.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in New York earn at least $59,890 a year. The top 25% earn $51,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,450 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $43,760 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in New York?
About 87,990 nursing assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.