Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Allentown, PA: $47,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Allentown, PA earns a median $47,243/year (≈ $22.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $47,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the career outlook for certified nursing assistants reveals a competitive median annual salary of $47,243 for 2026, reflecting a gain above the national average salary of $45,007. This salary corresponds to a range from $40,491 at the lower end to $51,205 at the high end, demonstrating a variance that can be influenced by factors such as the type of facility. The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the distinct pay structures between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where roles in hospitals often command higher wages. The anticipated growth rate of 6.50% over the next several years indicates a rising demand for CNAs in Allentown's health care sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,491 | $19.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,243 | $22.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,022 | $23.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,205 | $24.62 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,714 (2026 est.). At $47,243, the local median is 4.97% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Allentown Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Allentown median: $47,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $46,822 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +4.97% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Allentown, PA earn a median of $47,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $46,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $47,243 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,980
2025 BLS Actual
$44,360
2026 Current Est.
$47,243
2019–2027 Growth
+57.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.7% from $31,980 (2019) to $44,360 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,334 (57.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,491 – $42,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,270 – $47,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,243 – $49,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,022 – $51,205 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Allentown
With approximately 4,970 certified nursing assistants employed in Allentown, the local job market appears robust, especially when considering the cost-of-living index of 99.968, which suggests that wages are relatively favorable for purchasing power in the region. Employers such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers often offer elevated pay rates, particularly given the ongoing staffing challenges many facilities face. Factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts typically paying an additional $2-$4 per hour, and weekend shifts generally offering premiums of $1-$3, further contribute to the disparity in pay. To maximize earnings, CNAs can look for roles that offer agency premium pay, pursue certifications like CMA for additional stipends, and consider positions that cater to higher-acuity patient populations, which tend to pay better. Transitioning into LPN or RN pathways is also a strategic move for long-term career growth within the health care sector in Allentown.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $44,360 for certified nursing assistantsin the Allentown metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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