Nursing Assistant salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Nursing Assistants in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $45,980 a year ($22.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,380 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $46,830. There are 7.0 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $45,530, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| 25th percentile | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Median | $45,980 | $22.10 |
| 75th percentile | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| Average (mean) | $45,530 | $21.89 |
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 | $3,831.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,915.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,768.46 |
| Weekly | $884.23 |
| Hourly | $22.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $49,270 | 79,480 |
| Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | 770 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $46,220 | 30,680 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $44,360 | 4,970 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $43,080 | 1,450 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Orderly | $42,170 | $20.28 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Dental Assistant | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,410 | $36.25 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,370 | $17.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $45,980 a year, or $22.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $49,380 a year. The top 25% earn $47,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,090 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $42,870 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 1,690 nursing assistants are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.