Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $20.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $20.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,825 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, certified nursing assistants can expect a median hourly rate of $20.69, which is slightly below the national median of $21.64. This pay reflects important market dynamics, particularly for those working part-time or per diem. With a typical work schedule of three days a week, CNAs can earn competitive wages while maintaining flexibility that suits personal commitments. For those considering per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Arlington Heights, the hourly rates vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $17.33 and experienced CNAs potentially earning up to $25.76, illustrating the earning potential across different settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.33 | $138.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.62 | $148.93 |
| Median (P50) | $20.69 | $165.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.40 | $187.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.76 | $206.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $20.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.69/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $43,041 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,832. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $827.72 | $3,587 | $43,041 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $496.63 | $2,152 | $25,825 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $331.09 | $1,435 | $17,217 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Arlington Heights) | $20.69 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $43,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,739.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.69/hr = $25,825/year (purchasing power: $26,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,041/year (purchasing power: $44,327).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Arlington Heights grew 42.5% from $13.64/hr (2019) to $19.43/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.04/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Arlington Heights
When it comes to earnings, part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours a week could still take home a sizable income, although not as substantial as full-time counterparts. Those in per diem roles, especially with agency contracts, can often earn much higher rates, ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend and holiday shifts commanding even more, sometimes hitting $30 to $45 per hour in high-demand situations. Throughout Arlington Heights, hourly rates can further differ based on the type of employer; skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages compared to hospitals or home health agencies that can provide shift differentials. Many CNAs face a decision between higher hourly rates with no benefits or moderate pay with health insurance offerings. As such, those in the field may want to negotiate effectively, considering factors such as workload, shift preferences, and potential career advancement opportunities into nursing roles.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Arlington Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Arlington Heights?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Arlington Heights. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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