CNA Salary

Peoria vs Plainfield: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Peoria, IL
$45,838
$22.03/hr
Plainfield, IL
$42,288
$20.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILPlainfield, IL
Median Salary$45,838$42,288
Hourly Rate$22.03$20.33
Entry Level (P10)$39,522$36,517
25th Percentile$40,470$38,778
75th Percentile$48,607$47,231
Top Earner (P90)$52,142$51,290
Total Employed2,74011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($45,838) and Plainfield ($42,288) certified nursing assistant salaries.PeoriaPlainfieldMedian Salary$45,838$42,288Entry Level (P10)$39,522$36,517Top Earner (P90)$52,142$51,290US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Peoria and Plainfield is $3,550 (8.39%). Peoria's median is +1.85% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $12,620,Plainfield spans $14,773. Plainfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$39,522
P25$40,470
Median$45,838
P75$48,607
P90 (Top)$52,142
Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$36,517
P25$38,778
Median$42,288
P75$47,231
P90 (Top)$51,290

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($50,244 effective) pays 15.37% more than Plainfield ($43,551 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $45,838
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $50,244
Plainfield
Nominal: $42,288
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $43,551

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,838/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,142)
  • Larger job market (2,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,244)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Plainfield if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Peoria grew 53.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.3% growth in Plainfield over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+53.3%

$28,070 (2019) → $43,040 (2025)

Plainfield, IL

+11.3%

$35,678 (2024) → $39,707 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Peoria or Plainfield?

Peoria has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $45,838/year, compared to Plainfield at $42,288/year — a difference of $3,550 (8.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Plainfield?

Peoria certified nursing assistants earn $22.03/hr while Plainfield hygienists earn $20.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Plainfield as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Plainfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $50,244, Plainfield = $43,551), job availability (2,740 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Peoria vs Plainfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,522 in Peoria and $36,517 in Plainfield. The Peoria 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