CNA Salary

Allentown vs Norristown: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Allentown, PA
$47,243
$22.72/hr
Norristown, PA
$45,346
$21.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PANorristown, PA
Median Salary$47,243$45,346
Hourly Rate$22.72$21.80
Entry Level (P10)$40,491$35,686
25th Percentile$42,270$41,675
75th Percentile$49,022$49,068
Top Earner (P90)$51,205$52,240
Total Employed4,9709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($47,243) and Norristown ($45,346) certified nursing assistant salaries.AllentownNorristownMedian Salary$47,243$45,346Entry Level (P10)$40,491$35,686Top Earner (P90)$51,205$52,240US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Allentown and Norristown is $1,897 (4.18%). Allentown's median is +4.97% 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,Norristown spans $16,554. Norristown 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
Norristown
P10 (Entry)$35,686
P25$41,675
Median$45,346
P75$49,068
P90 (Top)$52,240

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($47,258 effective) pays 1.51% more than Norristown ($46,556 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $47,243
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $47,258
Norristown
Nominal: $45,346
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $46,556

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,243/year)
  • Larger job market (4,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,258)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Norristown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,240)
  • 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 18.8% growth in Norristown over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+38.7%

$31,980 (2019) → $44,360 (2025)

Norristown, PA

+18.8%

$35,849 (2024) → $42,578 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Allentown has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,243/year, compared to Norristown at $45,346/year — a difference of $1,897 (4.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Norristown?

Allentown certified nursing assistants earn $22.72/hr while Norristown hygienists earn $21.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Norristown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $47,258, Norristown = $46,556), job availability (4,970 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,491 in Allentown and $35,686 in Norristown. 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