Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in St. Charles, IL: $43,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in St. Charles, IL earns a median $43,109/year (≈ $20.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a certified nursing assistant in St. Charles, Illinois, earns a median annual salary of $43,109, which is slightly below the national median of $45,007. Salary ranges for this position vary significantly, with the lower 10 percent earning around $35,229 and the upper 90 percent making as much as $49,617. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost-of-living differences. Employers typically dictate pay rates based on the type of facility. Certified nursing assistants working in hospitals often receive higher compensation compared to those in skilled nursing facilities, reflecting the greater demands and responsibilities associated with hospital jobs.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,229 | $16.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,921 | $18.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,109 | $20.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,652 | $22.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,617 | $23.86 |
Median Salary Position
4.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,388 (2026 est.). At $43,109, the local median is 4.22% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $43,109/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,721 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -4.22% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $43,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.22% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $43,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $43,109 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,396 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,409
2025 BLS Actual
$40,478
2026 Current Est.
$43,109
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,409 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,032 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $28,409 (2019) to $40,478 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,502 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $35,229 – $37,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,921 – $43,109 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,109 – $46,652 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,652 – $49,617 |
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 St. Charles
Currently, the local job market for certified nursing assistants in St. Charles is modest, with only seven individuals employed in this role. The region's cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the purchasing power remains relatively stable. Facilities such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers tend to offer the most competitive pay, influenced by factors like shift differentials, which can add an extra $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekend work. During staffing shortages, agency positions often command higher rates, driving a noticeable disparity in earnings. To maximize pay, candidates should consider enhancing their qualifications, pursuing CMA certification, or exploring premium weekend-only roles, strategically aiming for positions that offer higher acuity levels and additional stipends for certifications.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $40,478 for certified nursing assistantsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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