Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL: $49,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Chicago, IL earns a median $49,991/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $48,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.3% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Chicago, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,991, distinctly above the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $41,514 at the 10th percentile to $57,989 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a healthy market for CNAs. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating the salary reset in the post-COVID job environment. With an anticipated annual growth rate of 6.50%, the certified nursing assistant salary in Chicago reflects a response to increasing demand and competitive hiring practices in a landscape reshaped by staffing crises.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,514 | $19.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,731 | $21.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,991 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,249 | $25.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,989 | $27.88 |
Median Salary Position
11.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,475 (2026 est.). At $49,991, the local median is 11.07% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Chicago Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Chicago median: $49,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,737 | +14.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +11.07% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Chicago, IL earn a median of $49,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.07% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 14.30% above the Illinois state average of $43,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,991 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,256 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,750
2025 BLS Actual
$46,940
2026 Current Est.
$49,991
2019–2027 Growth
+79.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 57.8% from $29,750 (2019) to $46,940 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,491 (78.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $41,514 – $45,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,731 – $49,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,991 – $52,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,249 – $57,989 |
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 Chicago
The job market remains robust, with approximately 45,850 certified nursing assistants currently employed across Chicago. However, the cost of living index stands at 103.595, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, they must also align with elevated living expenses in the area. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer the highest pay, particularly with the inclusion of shift differentials and weekend premiums, yielding an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts. CNAs looking to maximize their pay should consider agency work during staffing shortages or explore roles at higher acuity facilities that implement different pay scales based on patient needs. Additionally, pursuing further qualifications, such as CMA certification, can provide additional financial incentives. Overall, understanding these nuances in certified nursing assistant pay in Chicago, IL, paves the way for informed career decisions.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $46,940 for certified nursing assistantsin the Chicago 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