Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Boston, MA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Boston for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Boston, MA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Boston are North End Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center in Boston (2.4 mi), Alliance Health At Marina Bay in Quincy (3.1 mi), Highland Park Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center in Chelsea (3.4 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Massachusetts earn a median $19.67 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Boston has about 10,842 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Boston compared with Massachusetts
| Census figure | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.6% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 35% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 21% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 33% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $51,082 | — |
Older residents in towns around Boston
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop Town, MA | 3.5 mi | 3,631 | 521 |
| Chelsea, MA | 4.1 mi | 4,188 | 674 |
| Everett, MA | 5.0 mi | 5,660 | 708 |
| Quincy, MA | 5.4 mi | 18,123 | 2,401 |
| Somerville, MA | 5.5 mi | 8,108 | 826 |
| Cambridge, MA | 5.7 mi | 14,440 | 1,516 |
Nursing homes near Boston
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North End Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center | Boston, MA | 2.4 mi | 2 of 5 | 100 | (857) 772-7800 |
| Alliance Health At Marina Bay | Quincy, MA | 3.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 167 | (617) 769-5106 |
| Highland Park Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center | Chelsea, MA | 3.4 mi | 1 of 5 | 195 | (617) 997-9121 |
| The Center At Advocate | East Boston, MA | 3.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 190 | (617) 455-6115 |
| St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center | Dorchester, MA | 3.7 mi | 2 of 5 | 123 | (617) 825-6320 |
| Bostonian Nursing Care & Rehabilitation Center | Dorchester, MA | 3.8 mi | 4 of 5 | 121 | (617) 265-2350 |
Home health agencies serving Boston
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara Caring | Braintree, MA | 9.0 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 969-7517 |
| Central Home Health Care, Inc | Needham, MA | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (617) 559-0200 |
| Patient Care Solutions, LLC | Danvers, MA | 16 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (781) 595-0311 |
| Caring Hearts Homecare Inc | Wilmington, MA | 17 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (978) 658-5104 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Boston. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Boston
At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Boston: common questions
What nursing homes are near Boston?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are North End Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center in Boston (2.4 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Alliance Health At Marina Bay in Quincy (3.1 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Highland Park Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center in Chelsea (3.4 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Boston?
At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Boston
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Winthrop Town, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Chelsea, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Everett, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Quincy, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Somerville, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Cambridge, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Revere, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Brookline, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Malden, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Hull, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Nahant, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Milton, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Medford, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Melrose, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Watertown, MA
- Nursing Assistants in Saugus, MA
Other care in Boston
- Companion Care in Boston
- Dementia Care in Boston
- Respite Care in Boston
- Live-In Caregivers in Boston
- Post-Surgery Care in Boston
- Senior Transportation in Boston
- Home Health Aides in Boston
- Personal Care in Boston
- Overnight Caregivers in Boston
- 24-Hour Home Care in Boston
- Mobility Assistance in Boston
- Parkinson’s Care in Boston
- Stroke Recovery Support in Boston
- Disability Care for Adults in Boston
- Hospice Support in Boston
- Senior Meal Preparation in Boston
- Senior Housekeeping in Boston
- Medication Reminders in Boston
- Veterans’ Home Care in Boston
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
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