Nursing Assistant salary in Massachusetts
Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts earn a median of $46,680 a year ($22.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 38,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,880 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $42,260. Massachusetts ranks 11th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 10 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| 25th percentile | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Median | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 75th percentile | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Average (mean) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
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 | $3,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,945 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795.38 |
| Weekly | $897.69 |
| Hourly | $22.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $48,520 | 1,030 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $47,590 | 26,130 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $46,620 | 810 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Orderly | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Dental Assistant | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,910 | $17.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Massachusetts is $46,680 a year, or $22.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Massachusetts earn at least $57,880 a year. The top 25% earn $49,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,380 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $44,340 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Massachusetts?
About 38,130 nursing assistants are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.