Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $19.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in South Bend, IN runs $19.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,056 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,642 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In South Bend, IN, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $19.75 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $21.64. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or in per diem roles, this hourly wage allows for flexible work arrangements across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health visits, and assisted living spaces. The hourly range for certified nursing assistants spans from $17.71 at the entry-level to as much as $24.18 for more experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse environments they operate in and the varying needs of employers in South Bend. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offers a clear picture of what CNAs can expect in terms of compensation in the coming year.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.71 | $141.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.90 | $151.23 |
| Median (P50) | $19.75 | $157.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.16 | $177.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.18 | $193.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $19.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.75/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $41,070 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,694. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $789.80 | $3,422 | $41,070 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $473.88 | $2,053 | $24,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $315.92 | $1,369 | $16,428 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (South Bend) | $19.75 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $41,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.78% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% above the Indiana state average of $40,409.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.75/hr = $24,642/year (purchasing power: $26,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,070/year (purchasing power: $44,229).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in South Bend grew 34.0% from $13.84/hr (2019) to $18.54/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.03/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
When evaluating earning potential, a part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $30,400 per year, significantly less than a full-time worker. Additionally, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in South Bend often varies, with agency CNAs billing rates typically ranging between $22 and $32 per hour, while weekend-only contracts may command $30 to $45 per hour in response to staffing shortages. The hourly wages can also differ based on the type of employer, with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies offering varying compensation packages. Some CNAs find themselves choosing lower hourly rates with employer-sponsored health benefits over higher hourly pay without such offerings. For those in South Bend, it’s often beneficial to negotiate based on individual needs, especially considering potential weekend shifts and other incentives that can enhance overall earnings in this vital role.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
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 South Bend. 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