Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bloomington, IL: $45,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bloomington, IL earns a median $45,987/year (≈ $22.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $49,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $45,987, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $45,007. Workers in this field can expect a salary range from $39,810 at the lower tier to $54,816 at the upper end, showcasing the earning potential that exists within various healthcare settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights differences based on the type of employment; certified nursing assistants working in skilled nursing facilities often have distinct pay structures compared to those employed in hospitals. The diverse pay scales present a broader context for understanding job opportunities in Bloomington's healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,598 | $19.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,987 | $22.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,012 | $24.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,816 | $26.36 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,006 (2026 est.). At $45,987, the local median is 2.18% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $45,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,714 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +2.18% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $45,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% above the Illinois state average of $43,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,987 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$27,650
2025 BLS Actual
$43,180
2026 Current Est.
$45,987
2019–2027 Growth
+77.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 56.2% from $27,650 (2019) to $43,180 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,326 (77.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $39,810 – $40,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,598 – $45,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,987 – $50,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,012 – $54,816 |
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 Bloomington
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is robust, with approximately 950 individuals employed in this capacity, indicative of a growing demand for healthcare support roles in the area. The cost of living index in Bloomington, standing at 93.537, suggests that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which positively impacts take-home pay. Employers such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, with additional benefits available for night shifts, weekends, and positions that entail greater patient acuity. To optimize earnings, CNAs in Bloomington might consider seeking out roles in home health agencies or rehabilitation hospitals, as they may present opportunities for higher compensation through shift differentials or specialized certifications. Exploring pathways to bridge into LPN or RN roles can further enhance salary potential and career growth within this dynamic healthcare sector.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Bloomington, IL in 2026?
Is Bloomington, IL a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Bloomington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Bloomington?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Bloomington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $43,180 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bloomington 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
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