Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Decatur, IL: $44,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Decatur, IL earns a median $44,719/year (≈ $21.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $50,575 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the compensation landscape for certified nursing assistants reflects both the nuances of the local healthcare market and the broader national trends. The median annual salary is projected at $44,719 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $45,007. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in this area spans from $38,755 at the low end (10th percentile) to $54,624 at the high end (90th percentile). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a critical distinction: while both skilled nursing facilities and hospitals employ CNAs, the pay can differ significantly. Those working in acute care settings typically receive a premium for the higher acuity of their patients, further demonstrating the disparities in compensation within Decatur's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,755 | $18.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,311 | $19.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,719 | $21.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,624 | $26.26 |
Median Salary Position
0.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,869 (2026 est.). At $44,719, the local median is 0.64% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Decatur median: $44,719/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,714 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -0.64% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Decatur, IL earn a median of $44,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.64% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.30% above the Illinois state average of $43,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $44,719 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,575 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,290
2025 BLS Actual
$41,990
2026 Current Est.
$44,719
2019–2027 Growth
+88.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 66.0% from $25,290 (2019) to $41,990 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,336 (88.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $38,755 – $41,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,311 – $44,719 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,719 – $51,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,780 – $54,624 |
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 Decatur
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is supported by approximately 600 employed in the area, but the cost of living index of 88.422 indicates that housing and daily expenses are below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances buying power and can make salaries more impactful. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer the highest pay, especially for roles requiring weekend or night shifts, which often add $1 to $4 per hour for those willing to work during these times. Factors contributing to the pay scale include agency staffing premiums due to shortages, certification stipends for CNAs who have obtained additional qualifications, and pay structures based on patient acuity. To maximize earnings in Decatur, CNAs may benefit from pursuing certifications that allow for specialization, exploring agency work during shortages, or considering shifts that come with increased pay incentives.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $41,990 for certified nursing assistantsin the Decatur 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