Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $23.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Elgin, IL runs $23.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,732 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $23.82, which surpasses the national median of $21.64. This rate provides a competitive advantage for those working in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care, catering to a range of patients including the elderly and those needing rehabilitation. Hourly pay for certified nursing assistants in the area ranges from $19.34 for entry-level positions to $30.10 for experienced professionals, revealing a substantial variance based on experience and specific employer requirements. For part-time workers, typically those employed three days a week, this hourly rate translates into flexible earning potential that suits various lifestyle needs, making per diem options an attractive alternative in the region.
About the Elgin 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) | $19.34 | $154.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.62 | $164.95 |
| Median (P50) | $23.82 | $190.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.11 | $216.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.10 | $240.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $23.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.82/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $49,554 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,589. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $952.96 | $4,130 | $49,554 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.78 | $2,478 | $29,732 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.18 | $1,652 | $19,822 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Elgin) | $23.82 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $49,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.08% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 13.30% above the Illinois state average of $43,729.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.82/hr = $29,732/year (purchasing power: $30,620).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,554/year (purchasing power: $51,034).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Elgin grew 42.5% from $15.70/hr (2019) to $22.37/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.37/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants in Elgin, those working 24 hours per week could expect to take home approximately $29,785 annually — a figure that illustrates the option to balance work with other responsibilities. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Elgin tends to range widely; agency CNAs often bill between $22 and $32 per hour, while weekend-only or premium contracts may see rates soar to $30-$45 hourly in high-demand markets. Furthermore, travel contracts offer unique opportunities, with some positions offering between $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, although such contracts are less common compared to traditional staffing roles. Employers, including skilled nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals, may offer diverse compensation structures, prompting some CNAs to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health benefits. For job seekers in Elgin, adopting effective negotiation tactics can amplify their hourly earnings, especially when discussing health insurance options or specific shift differentials that enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Elgin, IL:
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
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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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