How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Connecticut
Connecticut employs approximately 21,380 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,790 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.35x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Connecticut, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Connecticut
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Connecticut? Connecticut requires credentials such as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nursing Home Administrator. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Connecticut? Yes. Connecticut has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Connecticut is $44,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,660 and experienced professionals can earn $53,870 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section
- Median wage (Connecticut): $44,790 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Connecticut
The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Connecticut 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | APRN License Requirements Before applying for licensure, please familiarize yourself with the general licensing policies. |
| Registered Nurse | RN Licensure by Examination In order to be eligible for registered nurse licensure by examination, an applicant shall: Successfully complete a nursing program that meets the requirements outlined in t… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | An applicant for licensure must meet the following requirements: Hold a baccalaureate degree in area issued by a regionally accredited institution of higher education; Successfully complete a Departme… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | See website for details |
| Licensed Nurse Midwife | Midwife Licensure Requirements In order to be eligible for nurse-midwife licensure, an individual must meet the following requirements: Be eligible for Connecticut registered nurse licensure; Foreign… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse - Temporary | See website |
Additional Requirements
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Connecticut vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 7,990 | $44,340 | $44,740 | $38,490 | $52,350 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 4,500 | $45,560 | $46,060 | $38,660 | $53,960 |
| New Haven | 3,840 | $45,030 | $46,790 | $39,520 | $59,770 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | 2,190 | $43,010 | $44,780 | $38,840 | $50,810 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 1,610 | $44,210 | $45,190 | $38,410 | $51,390 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Connecticut
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Connecticut according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 7,990 | $44,340 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 4,500 | $45,560 |
| New Haven | 3,840 | $45,030 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | 2,190 | $43,010 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 1,610 | $44,210 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 21,380 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Connecticut? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Connecticut.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Connecticut is $44,790, which is $5,260 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section - Licensing Information: https://www.dph.state.ct.us/licensure/licensure.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |