Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Reading, PA: $48,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Reading, PA earns a median $48,489/year (≈ $23.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $49,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is estimated at $48,489, which represents a healthy increase compared to the national median of $45,007. This local salary is supported by a salary range that spans from $41,066 at the 10th percentile to $55,039 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that Reading has positioned itself well following the post-COVID wage reset, with local CNAs earning about 7.74% more than their national counterparts. The job market remains robust with approximately 1,830 certified nursing assistants currently employed in the area, suggesting a solid demand for healthcare support roles in this community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,066 | $19.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,578 | $19.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,489 | $23.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,792 | $25.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,039 | $26.47 |
Median Salary Position
7.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,973 (2026 est.). At $48,489, the local median is 7.74% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Reading Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Reading median: $48,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $46,804 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.74% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Reading, PA earn a median of $48,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.74% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.60% above the Pennsylvania state average of $46,804.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,958 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,950
2025 BLS Actual
$45,530
2026 Current Est.
$48,489
2019–2027 Growth
+66.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 47.1% from $30,950 (2019) to $45,530 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,691 (66.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $41,066 – $41,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,578 – $48,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,489 – $52,792 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,792 – $55,039 |
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 Reading
For those considering a career as a certified nursing assistant in Reading, it is essential to understand the local job market dynamics and cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06, the take-home pay for CNAs, on average, provides decent purchasing power. Among the facilities that contribute to the highest salaries are skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly in critical care and rehabilitation settings. Factors affecting pay levels include shift differentials—often adding between $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekend work—as well as premiums for agency staffing during shortages. Emphasizing a path for career advancement through CNA-to-LPN or RN bridge programs can further enhance long-term earning potential in this market.
More salary data for Reading, 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 $45,530 for certified nursing assistantsin the Reading 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