Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Harrisburg, PA: $22.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Harrisburg, PA runs $22.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,796 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Harrisburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.7, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,071 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly pay of $22.49, which surpasses the national hourly median of $21.64. This attractive compensation reflects the demand for CNAs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, assisted living apartments, and home health care. For those working part-time, such as in typical three-day workweeks, this pay translates to a solid income while allowing flexibility in scheduling. The hourly range for CNAs in Harrisburg runs from $19.26 for entry-level positions to $23.83 for experienced professionals, demonstrating that even at the lower end, the pay remains competitive. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrates the financial viability of a career as a certified nursing assistant in the region.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.26 | $154.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.08 | $160.60 |
| Median (P50) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.73 | $181.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.83 | $190.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harrisburg
Based on $22.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.49/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harrisburg, PA can expect to earn approximately $46,785 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,991. With a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harrisburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harrisburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $899.71 | $3,899 | $46,785 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.83 | $2,339 | $28,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.88 | $1,560 | $18,714 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Harrisburg) | $22.49 |
| 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 Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $46,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.97% higher than the national median of $45,007.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.49/hr = $28,071/year (purchasing power: $28,455).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,785/year (purchasing power: $47,425).
CoL index: 98.65 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Harrisburg grew 30.0% from $16.24/hr (2019) to $21.12/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.95/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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg
Beyond baseline hourly pay, those considering part-time positions in Harrisburg can expect varied earning potential. For instance, a certified nursing assistant working a typical 24-hour week could anticipate annual earnings markedly lower than full-time colleagues, yet still significant. Meanwhile, per diem certified nursing assistant positions can offer an even broader range, as agency rates may vary between $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend-only contracts often reaching between $30 and $45 per hour in markets facing shortages. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer competitive rates as well, but the trade-off often involves benefits. It’s common for CNAs to choose positions with lower hourly pay but with health insurance and other perks over strictly higher rates. To maximize their compensation, certified nursing assistants in Harrisburg should actively negotiate based on their experience, sought-after shifts, and consider all available benefits in addition to hourly wages.
More salary data for Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg. 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