CNA Classes & Jobs in Boston, MA

Everything you need to start a CNA career in Boston: local training programs, the Mass General Brigham hiring pipeline, current wages, and a free study plan for the Massachusetts NNAAP exam.

Boston Massachusetts skyline illustration
Boston, Massachusetts — MSA population ~4863K
Median CNA wage
$20.00/hr
~$41,600–$52,000/yr
Major employer
Mass General Brigham
Largest healthcare system in the metro
Metro population
4,863,000
Greater Boston metropolitan area

Working as a CNA in Boston

Boston is part of the Massachusetts CNA registry, which means your training and certification follow the same NNAAP standards used across the U.S. The local healthcare market here is anchored by Mass General Brigham, which consistently hires new graduates and offers competitive starting wages around $20.00/hour. After a year of experience and a strong track record, CNAs inBoston commonly move into specialty roles (ICU support, rehab, memory care) at $3–$7 above the entry rate.

Massachusetts CNA training requirements

To work as a CNA in Boston, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program (typically 75–180 hours depending on Massachusetts's requirements), pass the NNAAP written and clinical skills exams, and register with the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry. The full Massachusetts CNA certification guide covers application steps, fees, testing locations, and renewal cycles.

What the NNAAP exam tests for Boston CNAs

Every CNA in Massachusetts takes the same National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). It's a 70-question written exam plus a 5-skill clinical checkoff. The exam doesn't change by city, but how you study for it should match the skills local employers care about. Mass General Brigham and other major systems inBoston weight hand hygiene, transfers, vital signs, and feeding highest when hiring.

Pass the NNAAP on your first try

Try the free practice exam

ExamReady gives you the full 1,500+ question bank, all 22clinical skills walkthroughs, and a full exam simulator built around the same NNAAP you'll take in Massachusetts. 7-day free trial, no card required to start.

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Other Massachusetts cities

Full Massachusetts guide

For state-level training requirements, application fees, exam vendor contacts, and renewal procedures, read the complete Massachusetts CNA certification guide.

Read the Massachusetts CNA guide →