Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $20.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Rockford, IL runs $20.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,749 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,652 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $20.55 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $21.64. This rate positions CNAs favorably within various healthcare environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice settings. For those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, this hourly figure translates into a sustainable income, providing flexibility for individuals managing other responsibilities or commitments. Additionally, the hourly wage range for certified nursing assistants in Rockford varies from $19.17 at the 10th percentile to $25.00 at the 90th percentile, indicating that experience and specific health facility settings can significantly impact earnings. These statistics are based on projected data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2026, reflecting ongoing shifts in the healthcare workforce across the region.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.17 | $153.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.56 | $156.51 |
| Median (P50) | $20.55 | $164.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.39 | $187.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.00 | $199.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $20.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.55/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $42,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,665. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $822.18 | $3,563 | $42,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $493.31 | $2,138 | $25,652 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.87 | $1,425 | $17,101 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Rockford) | $20.55 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $42,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.02% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.30% below the Illinois state average of $43,755.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.55/hr = $25,652/year (purchasing power: $27,836).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,753/year (purchasing power: $46,393).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Rockford grew 37.1% from $14.08/hr (2019) to $19.30/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.89/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Employment as a certified nursing assistant offers diverse earning potentials depending on work arrangements and employer types. For a CNA working a part-time schedule of 24 hours per week, the annual take-home pay would be $25,558, which is quite different from the financial benefits full-time work may offer. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Rockford tends to be higher, as contract workers often receive hourly rates ranging from $22 to $32, and weekend contracts can command between $30 and $45 per hour, especially in markets experiencing workforce shortages. Hourly earnings also fluctuate across settings, with skilled nursing facilities often offering lower rates compared to hospitals and agency work. Some CNAs opt for positions with lower pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, creating a trade-off that influences job selection. Those negotiating hourly wages should consider their immediate needs for benefits versus higher pay, as well as the potential for shift differentials, which can significantly enhance overall compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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