Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $19.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Elmhurst, IL runs $19.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected at $19.89 for 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $21.64, indicating some local wage disparities in this essential healthcare role. For certified nursing assistants working part-time, for instance, those on a three-day schedule can expect to earn around $1,431 weekly if they clock in for 24 hours. This hourly pay translates well for per-diem certified nursing assistant roles, which are often filled in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice care. Elmhurst is expected to provide wages ranging from $16.55 for entry-level positions (P10) to up to $23.29 for those in the top tier (P90), giving a clear view of the career's earning potential based on experience and specialization.
About the Elmhurst 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) | $16.55 | $132.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.71 | $141.69 |
| Median (P50) | $19.89 | $159.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.70 | $173.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.29 | $186.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $19.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.89/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $41,380 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,873. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $795.77 | $3,448 | $41,380 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $477.46 | $2,069 | $24,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.31 | $1,379 | $16,552 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Elmhurst) | $19.89 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $41,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $43,734.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.89/hr = $24,828/year (purchasing power: $25,569).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,380/year (purchasing power: $42,616).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Elmhurst grew 42.5% from $13.11/hr (2019) to $18.68/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.19/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
With a 6.50% growth rate projected for the CNA field, part-time workers have a clear opportunity to earn comparably to their full-time counterparts, albeit with a different structure. A part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $37,724 annually, lower than the full-time average but still substantial, especially when balancing personal commitments. Many CNAs opt for per-diem work or agency positions, which often pay in the range of $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend-only contracts sometimes reaching $30 to $45. This variability demonstrates how hourly rates fluctuate among different facilities in Elmhurst, such as hospitals versus assisted living communities. While some CNAs may choose positions with lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, negotiating for higher hourly rates can be a viable strategy, especially in a market recovering from pre-COVID staffing shortages.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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