Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cicero, IL: $34,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Cicero, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,337 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cicero's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,363 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,333) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a starting certified nursing assistant salary in Cicero projected at $34,337 in 2026, new graduates can expect to begin their careers at a lower salary level compared to the city’s median annual wage of $42,333. However, there is potential for growth as they progress in their roles; entry-level CNAs can move through pay brackets from $34,337 to $37,261 within a few years, gradually reaching the median as they gain experience and skills. The local job market in Cicero is currently favorable for new CNAs, as increased demand for healthcare services has led to higher wages and a variety of employment opportunities within skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cicero
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Cicero, IL typically start between $34,337 and $37,261 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,977 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,333 — 5.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Illinois of $2,200 represents just 6.41% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($34,337/year) in Cicero. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cicero
- 1Research the Cicero market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $34,337 to $37,261, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cicero, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cicero for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cicero's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Cicero is $16,977 ( 49.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,337, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,314.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$20,861
2025 BLS Actual
$32,241
2026 Current Est.
$34,337
2019–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,685 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,517 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,569 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cicero, IL grew 54.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $20,861 in 2019 to $32,241 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,569. New graduates entering the Cicero job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero 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.
Starting Your nursing Career in Cicero
Employers in Cicero typically seek out entry-level CNAs from skilled nursing facilities that offer paid training programs. While hospital systems tend to prefer candidates with experience, they also provide avenues for new graduates through apprenticeship pipelines. Home health agencies are actively looking for flexible-schedule candidates. To enhance starting pay in Illinois, obtaining state certification through 75 hours of federally mandated training, passing the state exam, and additional credentials like CPR/BLS can be beneficial. New CNAs should strategically plan for their first few years, recognizing that the profession experienced significant turnover after COVID-19, which led to renewed upward pressure on wages. As many nursing facilities raised salaries by 20-40%, starting CNAs can realistically expect incremental salary increases as they gain expertise, often bridging into LPN or RN roles not long after beginning their careers in this essential field.
More salary data for Cicero, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for certified nursing assistants in Cicero in 2026?
How fast do certified nursing assistant salaries grow in Cicero?
Is nursing school worth it in Cicero?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cicero. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cicero is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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