Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $19.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Altoona, PA runs $19.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $19.90 in 2026, which reflects a competitive wage relative to the national average hourly rate of $21.64. This hourly rate is significant for part-time workers, including those taking on three-day-per-week schedules, allowing them to comfortably earn while potentially balancing other responsibilities. For per-diem certified nursing assistants, the flexibility of hourly work offers attractive options in a variety of settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home care environments. In this local market, hourly wages can range from $18.82 at the lower end to $23.95 for those at the higher end of the earning spectrum, providing both entry-level and experienced professionals with opportunities to find positions that match their skills and financial needs.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.82 | $150.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.82 | $150.55 |
| Median (P50) | $19.90 | $159.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.81 | $182.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.95 | $191.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $19.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.90/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $41,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,886. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $796.19 | $3,450 | $41,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $477.72 | $2,070 | $24,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.48 | $1,380 | $16,561 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Altoona) | $19.90 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $41,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.02% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 11.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $46,829.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.90/hr = $24,841/year (purchasing power: $27,753).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,402/year (purchasing power: $46,256).
CoL index: 89.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Altoona grew 20.3% from $15.54/hr (2019) to $18.69/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.20/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
The earning potential for a certified nursing assistant working part-time in Altoona can provide a different financial reality compared to full-time colleagues. A 24-hour work week spread over three days amounts to roughly $1,155 monthly before taxes, leading to about $13,860 annually, which may be adequate for some but leaves much to be desired in a high-demand environment. Meanwhile, per diem or agency positions frequently offer higher pay rates, with many CNAs billing between $22 to $32 per hour. In times of high demand, weekend-only contracts can command impressive premiums ranging from $30 to $45 per hour. With hourly pay varying across different employer types, such as skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, and home health agencies, CNAs in Altoona face the practical decision of accepting lower-paying roles that offer health benefits or seeking higher rates without such advantages. For those negotiating hourly pay, it's essential to be informed about the local healthcare scene and consider the potential for salary increases tied to certifications or shifts during peak hours.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 Altoona. 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