Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Williamsport, PA: $39,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Williamsport, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,778 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsport's local price level (BEA RPP 92.3 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,073 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,419) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective certified nursing assistants entering the workforce in Williamsport, Pennsylvania can expect to see starting salaries around $39,778 based on 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. This initial pay tier can often be below the city’s median annual salary of $42,419, illustrating a gap that early-career professionals may need to navigate. New graduates typically progress through their first few years, potentially earning upwards from the P25 threshold of $41,929, thereby realizing significant growth in their compensation as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, Williamsport presents a favorable market for newcomers, particularly in the wake of recent staffing challenges that have increased the demand for certified nursing assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsport
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 Williamsport
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Williamsport, PA typically start between $39,778 and $41,929 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $8,456 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,419 — 5.75% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Pennsylvania of $2,800 represents just 7.04% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($39,778/year) in Williamsport. 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 Williamsport
- 1Research the Williamsport market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $39,778 to $41,929, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williamsport, 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 Williamsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsport's below-average 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 Williamsport is $8,456 ( 21.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,778, experienced hygienists can earn up to $48,234.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,600
2025 BLS Actual
$37,350
2026 Current Est.
$39,778
2019–2027 Growth
+79.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,363 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsport, PA grew 58.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,600 in 2019 to $37,350 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,363. New graduates entering the Williamsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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 Williamsport
In Williamsport, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities stand out as the primary employers hiring new CNAs, often providing paid training programs that can accelerate the path into the profession. Although hospitals may favor more seasoned candidates, they frequently offer apprenticeship opportunities for new graduates, helping them transition into roles while gaining valuable experience. On the other hand, home health agencies are in need of flexible candidates who are willing to adapt to various schedules. To enhance starting pay, entry-level CNAs can pursue credentials such as CPR/BLS certification or optional medication aide qualifications. Given the recent workforce shortages stemming from high turnover rates post-COVID, early-career CNAs can realistically expect to bridge into LPN or RN roles within a few years, capitalizing on the rising wages that have surged 20-40% in nursing facilities in many markets. Overall, engaged new graduates can anticipate moderate salary growth as they build their careers in serviced-oriented roles within Pennsylvania’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Williamsport, 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
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 Williamsport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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