Nursing Assistant salary in New Jersey
Nursing Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $46,830 a year ($22.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 32,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,140 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $42,260. New Jersey ranks 10th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 7.6 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,810, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Median | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| 75th percentile | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,140 | $26.51 |
| Average (mean) | $46,810 | $22.50 |
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 | $3,902.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,951.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,801.15 |
| Weekly | $900.58 |
| Hourly | $22.52 |
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 New Jersey
| 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 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $45,980 | 1,690 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Orderly | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $50,280 | $24.18 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,960 | $36.04 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 Jersey?
The median salary for nursing assistants in New Jersey is $46,830 a year, or $22.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in New Jersey earn at least $55,140 a year. The top 25% earn $48,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $43,950 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in New Jersey?
About 32,400 nursing assistants are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.