How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in New Jersey
New Jersey employs approximately 32,400 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,830 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 New Jersey, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in New Jersey
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in New Jersey? New Jersey requires credentials such as MEDICATION AIDE, NURSE AIDE, ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (NURSE PRACTITIONER). The licensing authority is the Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program 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 New Jersey? Yes. New Jersey has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in New Jersey is $46,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,900 and experienced professionals can earn $55,140 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 Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program
- Median wage (New Jersey): $46,830 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in New Jersey
The Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in New Jersey 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| MEDICATION AIDE | |
| NURSE AIDE | |
| ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (NURSE PRACTITIONER) | |
| REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE (RN) | |
| NURSE-MIDWIFE | |
| LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN) | |
| SCHOOL NURSE/NON INSTRUCTIONAL | |
| NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR | |
| HOMEMAKER-HOME HEALTH AIDE |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 79,480 | $49,270 | $50,810 | $43,240 | $60,530 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 30,680 | $46,220 | $45,820 | $38,600 | $49,860 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 4,970 | $44,360 | $43,640 | $38,020 | $48,080 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 1,690 | $45,980 | $45,530 | $39,090 | $49,380 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 1,450 | $43,080 | $42,750 | $38,140 | $48,060 |
| Vineland | 770 | $48,890 | $47,230 | $37,950 | $53,410 |
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 New Jersey
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within New Jersey according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | 1,690 | $45,980 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 1,450 | $43,080 |
| Vineland | 770 | $48,890 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 32,400 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 New Jersey with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Jersey.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in New Jersey is $46,830, which is $7,300 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 Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program - Licensing Information: https://www.nj.gov/health/lh/professionals/licensing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |