How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 38,130 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,680 1. 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 Massachusetts, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Massachusetts
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as NURSE, REGISTERED (RN), NURSE ANESTHETIST, NURSE MIDWIFE. The licensing authority is the Board of Registration in Nursing 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 Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Board of Registration in Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Massachusetts is $46,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,380 and experienced professionals can earn $57,880 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: Board of Registration in Nursing
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $46,680 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of Registration in Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| NURSE, REGISTERED (RN) | Registered nurses (RN) are graduates from a nursing program that prepares for RN practice, who have passed a national licensing exam and abide by criteria for RN licensure through the Board of Registr… |
| NURSE ANESTHETIST | The scope of CRNA practice is reflective of standards for the provision of anesthesia care and anesthesia-related care for individuals across the lifespan, whose health status may range from healthy t… |
| NURSE MIDWIFE | The scope of CNM practice is reflective of the standards established by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) for the provision of primary health care services to women throughout the lifespan… |
| NURSE AIDE | The Nurse Aide Registry Program approves and monitors nurse aide training programs, oversees the nurse aide competency evaluation program, operates the Nurse Aide Registry, renews the registration of… |
| NURSE, LICENSED PRACTICAL (LPN) | Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are graduates from a nursing program that prepares for LPN practice, who have passed a national licensing exam and abide by criteria for LPN licensure through the Board… |
| CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST (CNS) | The scope of CNS practice is reflective of standards for the integration of an advanced level of direct and indirect nursing care beyond the scope of RN practice |
| PSYCHIATRIC CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST (PCNS) | The scope of PCNS practice is reflective of standards for the provision of psychiatric health care services to individuals throughout the lifespan, including health promotion, disease prevention, heal… |
| NURSE PRACTITIONER (CNP) LICENSE | The scope of CNP practice is reflective of standards for the provision of health care services to individuals throughout the lifespan, including health promotion, disease prevention, health education,… |
| NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR | Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college and a 6 month full-time (4Nursing home administrator means any person charged with the general administration of a nursing home, whether or… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 26,130 | $47,590 | $48,730 | $40,190 | $59,450 |
| Providence-Warwick | 13,030 | $46,330 | $46,020 | $39,220 | $54,880 |
| Worcester | 5,250 | $45,710 | $46,630 | $38,420 | $55,640 |
| Springfield | 2,930 | $44,740 | $45,330 | $38,140 | $53,050 |
| Barnstable Town | 1,030 | $48,520 | $49,530 | $38,860 | $63,860 |
| Pittsfield | 810 | $46,620 | $46,980 | $38,190 | $52,890 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 540 | $46,110 | $45,870 | $38,020 | $56,340 |
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 Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 26,130 | $47,590 |
| Worcester | 5,250 | $45,710 |
| Springfield | 2,930 | $44,740 |
| Barnstable Town | 1,030 | $48,520 |
| Pittsfield | 810 | $46,620 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 38,130 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Registration in Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Massachusetts is $46,680, which is $7,150 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Registration in Nursing - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/dhpl/nursing/about/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |