Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $20.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Wheeling, IL runs $20.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,692 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,612 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $20.52 by 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate reflects both entry-level positions and those at the higher end of the pay scale, with an hourly range spanning from $17.50 for early-career workers to $25.22 for experienced individuals in the field. For part-time and per-diem CNAs, this translates to viable earnings when working just three days a week, typically in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, assisted living apartments, and even in the homes of hospice patients or clients receiving home health care. Given the flexible nature of this work, many CNAs enjoy the ability to choose schedules that accommodate their personal needs while still earning competitive hourly rates based on BLS estimates derived from 2025 data.
About the Wheeling 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) | $17.50 | $139.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.84 |
| Median (P50) | $20.52 | $164.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.17 | $185.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.22 | $201.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $20.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.52/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $42,687 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,627. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $820.90 | $3,557 | $42,687 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $492.54 | $2,134 | $25,612 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.36 | $1,423 | $17,075 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Wheeling) | $20.52 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $42,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.14% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $43,741.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.52/hr = $25,612/year (purchasing power: $26,377).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,687/year (purchasing power: $43,962).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Wheeling grew 42.5% from $13.52/hr (2019) to $19.27/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.86/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Examining the earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants in Wheeling reveals some intriguing insights. A CNA working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home around $25,000 annually, providing an essential income component, albeit less than what full-time CNAs earn. In the realm of per diem work, hourly pay for certified nursing assistants can be higher. Many agency CNAs report billing rates between $22 and $32, with weekend contracts sometimes offering $30 to $45, particularly in high-demand areas. Moreover, travel contracts have emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic, with some positions reaching $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, although these are less common than nursing travel roles. Variability exists among employers, as skilled nursing facilities may offer different pay scales compared to hospitals or home health agencies, influenced by patient care needs and staffing shortages. Thus, some certified nursing assistants choose lower-paying positions with benefits over higher-paid hourly opportunities that provide none. Ultimately, knowing the market can empower CNAs to negotiate effectively for better pay and roles suited to their career ambitions in Wheeling.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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