CNA Salary

Berwyn vs Chicago: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Berwyn, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Berwyn, IL
$43,216
$20.78/hr
Chicago, IL
$49,991
$24.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBerwyn, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$43,216$49,991
Hourly Rate$20.78$24.04
Entry Level (P10)$33,006$41,514
25th Percentile$39,096$45,731
75th Percentile$47,427$52,249
Top Earner (P90)$51,402$57,989
Total Employed1245,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Berwyn ($43,216) and Chicago ($49,991) certified nursing assistant salaries.BerwynChicagoMedian Salary$43,216$49,991Entry Level (P10)$33,006$41,514Top Earner (P90)$51,402$57,989US Median $45,007

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Berwyn.

The salary gap between Berwyn and Chicago is $6,775 (15.68%). Chicago's median is +11.07% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Berwyn spans $18,396,Chicago spans $16,475. Berwyn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Berwyn
P10 (Entry)$33,006
P25$39,096
Median$43,216
P75$47,427
P90 (Top)$51,402
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$41,514
P25$45,731
Median$49,991
P75$52,249
P90 (Top)$57,989

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($48,256 effective) pays 8.42% more than Berwyn ($44,507 effective).

Berwyn
Nominal: $43,216
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $44,507
Chicago
Nominal: $49,991
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $48,256

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Berwyn if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,991/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,989)
  • Larger job market (45,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,256)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Berwyn grew 11.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 57.8% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Berwyn, IL

+11.3%

$36,460 (2024) → $40,578 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+57.8%

$29,750 (2019) → $46,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Berwyn or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $49,991/year, compared to Berwyn at $43,216/year — a difference of $6,775 (15.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Berwyn and Chicago?

Berwyn certified nursing assistants earn $20.78/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $24.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Berwyn to Chicago as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Berwyn and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Berwyn = $44,507, Chicago = $48,256), job availability (12 vs 45,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Berwyn vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $33,006 in Berwyn and $41,514 in Chicago. The Chicago 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