Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Towson, MD: $21.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Towson, MD runs $21.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,373 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Towson's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $19.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,220 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Towson, Maryland, certified nursing assistants are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $21.81 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $21.64. This competitive pay is favorable for those working part-time or as per-diem certified nursing assistants, as they typically operate within various healthcare environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice care, and assisted living apartments. For part-time workers, like those on a three-day-per-week schedule, this rate translates into a meaningful income, positioning them favorably within the hourly wage spectrum, where entry-level CNAs start around $18.34 and more experienced professionals can earn up to $27.19 per hour.
About the Towson Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($39,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.68 | $157.45 |
| Median (P50) | $21.81 | $174.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.75 | $198.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.19 | $217.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Towson
Based on $21.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.81/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Towson, MD can expect to earn approximately $45,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,173. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Towson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Towson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $872.45 | $3,781 | $45,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $523.47 | $2,268 | $27,220 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $348.98 | $1,512 | $18,147 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Towson) | $21.81 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Towson, MD earn a median of $45,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 7.80% below the Maryland state average of $49,212.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.81/hr = $27,220/year (purchasing power: $24,904).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,367/year (purchasing power: $41,507).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$14.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Towson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Towson grew 42.5% from $14.37/hr (2019) to $20.48/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Towson metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Towson
Looking more closely at earning potential, certified nursing assistants working part-time hours—averaging 24 hours a week—can take home a robust paycheck compared to full-time positions. Meanwhile, per-diem certified nursing assistant pay in Towson can significantly increase, especially with agency shifts often billing between $22 to $32 an hour. Weekend shifts in high-demand settings may command rates of $30 to $45, with travel contracts that emerged post-COVID occasionally reaching $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, although these are less common. In Towson, compensation varies across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offering different rates from home health agencies and hospice services. CNAs might choose lower hourly rates with stable employment benefits or seek higher pay without benefits, depending on personal circumstances. For effective negotiations, understanding local market rates and emphasizing unique qualifications can aid in securing more favorable contracts.
More salary data for Towson, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Towson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Towson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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