Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $43,039 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $43,039/year (≈ $20.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the 2026 median annual salary for certified nursing assistants is projected to be $43,039, slightly below the national average of $45,007. Local salaries range from $36,033 at the 10th percentile to $53,575 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of workplace settings in the area. Certified nursing assistants working in skilled nursing facilities may encounter different pay scales compared to their counterparts in hospitals, where specialized roles such as ICU positions can command higher wages. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors, and suggest a competitive market for CNAs in Arlington Heights, particularly as facilities seek to stabilize their workforce in the face of ongoing demand.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,033 | $17.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,726 | $18.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,039 | $20.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,662 | $23.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,575 | $25.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,542 (2026 est.). At $43,039, the local median is 4.37% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $43,039/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,739 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -4.37% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $43,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $43,039 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,324 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,363
2025 BLS Actual
$40,412
2026 Current Est.
$43,039
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,363 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,501 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,311 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,039 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $28,363 (2019) to $40,412 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,473 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,033 – $38,726 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,726 – $43,039 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,039 – $48,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,662 – $53,575 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Arlington Heights
Looking at the job market, Arlington Heights employs only 18 certified nursing assistants, highlighting a relatively small workforce in this field. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, which may enhance purchasing power compared to areas with higher living costs. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer higher salaries, with potential for shift differentials—night shifts may earn an extra $2-4 per hour, while weekends might yield bonuses of $1-3 per hour. Factors like agency premium pay during staffing shortages and competitive pay structures based on acuity can significantly shape earnings. For those aiming to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Arlington Heights, seeking weekend-only positions or acquiring additional certifications, such as CMA, can optimize earnings through targeted opportunities in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,412 for certified nursing assistantsin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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