Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Crystal Lake, IL: $41,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Crystal Lake, IL earns a median $41,647/year (≈ $20.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Crystal Lake's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $42,891 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Crystal Lake, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $41,647, placing them about 7.47% below the national median of $45,007. The local salary range indicates considerable variability, with earnings expected to fall between $35,100 at the lower tenth percentile (P10) and $50,765 at the upper ninetieth percentile (P90). These figures reflect regional adjustments based on BLS state-level data and the area's cost of living, which slightly lags the national average, indicating a fresh wage environment for CNAs post-COVID. Job opportunities for certified nursing assistants in Crystal Lake are constrained, with only nine employed in the area, suggesting a competitive market for aspiring professionals.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,423 | $17.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,647 | $20.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,668 | $22.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,765 | $24.41 |
Median Salary Position
7.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Crystal Lake
In Crystal Lake, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,665 (2026 est.). At $41,647, the local median is 7.47% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Crystal Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Crystal Lake Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Crystal Lake median: $41,647/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Crystal Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,747 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -7.47% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $41,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $43,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Crystal Lake 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.
Crystal Lake, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,647 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,891 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,446
2025 BLS Actual
$39,105
2026 Current Est.
$41,647
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,547 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,348 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,137 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,105 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Crystal Lake metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $27,446 (2019) to $39,105 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,908 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Crystal Lake 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) | $35,100 – $37,423 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,423 – $41,647 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,647 – $46,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,668 – $50,765 |
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 Crystal Lake
The local job market for certified nursing assistants indicates a modest workforce, but it is essential to consider the cost-of-living index of 97.1 when analyzing purchasing power in Crystal Lake. This lower index allows for a slight edge as salaries take into account local living expenses. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer more competitive pay compared to other healthcare settings like hospitals or home health agencies. The spread in compensation can largely be attributed to shift differentials, with night shifts often commanding a premium of $2-4 per hour and weekends receiving an additional $1-3. Factors such as CMA certification stipends and weekend-only premium roles can also provide a financial boost. Maximizing pay opportunities in this market often involves seeking out positions that offer these differentials and considering potential pathways that bridge from CNA to LPN or RN, enhancing earning potential over time.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, 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 $39,105 for certified nursing assistantsin the Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake 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