CNA Salary

Allentown vs Lebanon: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Allentown, PA and Lebanon, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$47,243
$22.72/hr
Lebanon, PA
$48,287
$23.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PALebanon, PA
Median Salary$47,243$48,287
Hourly Rate$22.72$23.22
Entry Level (P10)$40,491$40,310
25th Percentile$42,270$41,258
75th Percentile$49,022$51,014
Top Earner (P90)$51,205$56,818
Total Employed4,970730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($47,243) and Lebanon ($48,287) certified nursing assistant salaries.AllentownLebanonMedian Salary$47,243$48,287Entry Level (P10)$40,491$40,310Top Earner (P90)$51,205$56,818US Median $45,007

Verdict

Lebanon, PA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Allentown.

The salary gap between Allentown and Lebanon is $1,044 (2.21%). Lebanon's median is +7.29% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $10,714,Lebanon spans $16,508. Lebanon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$40,491
P25$42,270
Median$47,243
P75$49,022
P90 (Top)$51,205
Lebanon
P10 (Entry)$40,310
P25$41,258
Median$48,287
P75$51,014
P90 (Top)$56,818

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lebanon ($51,802 effective) pays 9.62% more than Allentown ($47,258 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $47,243
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $47,258
Lebanon
Nominal: $48,287
CoL Index: 93.214
Adjusted: $51,802

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Larger job market (4,970 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Lebanon if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,287/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,818)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,802)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Allentown grew 38.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.5% growth in Lebanon over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+38.7%

$31,980 (2019) → $44,360 (2025)

Lebanon, PA

+43.5%

$31,590 (2019) → $45,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Allentown or Lebanon?

Lebanon has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,287/year, compared to Allentown at $47,243/year — a difference of $1,044 (2.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Lebanon?

Allentown certified nursing assistants earn $22.72/hr while Lebanon hygienists earn $23.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Lebanon as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Lebanon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $47,258, Lebanon = $51,802), job availability (4,970 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Allentown vs Lebanon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,491 in Allentown and $40,310 in Lebanon. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov