Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $23.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Philadelphia, PA runs $23.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,533 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $23.66 in 2026, placing it above the national hourly median of $21.64. This elevated pay reflects the ongoing demand for certified nursing assistants across various healthcare settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care. With entry-level positions starting around $19.77, there is substantial earning potential for experienced CNAs, reaching up to $25.53 per hour for those with specialized skills or critical roles. This hourly compensation is significant for part-time workers, such as those who work three days a week, and for per-diem CNAs who may have more flexible schedules. These hourly figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which indicates a stable demand for support staff in a post-pandemic healthcare landscape.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.77 | $158.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.21 | $177.64 |
| Median (P50) | $23.66 | $189.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.36 | $194.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.53 | $204.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $23.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.66/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $49,222 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,397. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $946.57 | $4,102 | $49,222 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $567.94 | $2,461 | $29,533 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.63 | $1,641 | $19,689 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Philadelphia) | $23.66 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $49,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.37% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $46,836.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.66/hr = $29,533/year (purchasing power: $28,798).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,222/year (purchasing power: $47,996).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Philadelphia grew 47.2% from $15.09/hr (2019) to $22.22/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.20/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
The earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants, who might work a 24-hour week, can translate to approximately $29,248 annually, providing a viable income source while allowing for flexibility in scheduling. Conversely, some per diem certified nursing assistants in Philadelphia can take home higher rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, particularly during weekends or in shortage areas, where premium contracts can reach $30 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; for example, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer different wage structures compared to home health agencies and assisted living communities. Many CNAs face trade-offs between accepting lower hourly rates that include health benefits versus higher rates without benefits. For those considering their options, the negotiation landscape in Philadelphia can be advantageous if armed with knowledge about local rates and the ability to articulate their skill level and experience effectively.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Philadelphia in 2026?
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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 Philadelphia. 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