Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $48,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $48,395/year (≈ $23.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $49,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $48,395, reflecting local estimates that account for cost adjustments. With a salary range from $38,796 at the 10th percentile to $58,338 at the 90th percentile, CNAs have the opportunity to earn significantly based on experience and work settings. This local compensation is notably higher than the national median of $45,007 for CNAs, representing a 7.53% premium for those working in Bethlehem. The financial advantages provided by advancing credentials through the CNA-to-LPN bridge pathway can further enhance earning potential, as this route often leads to higher-paying roles and greater responsibilities.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,796 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,402 | $20.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,395 | $23.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,575 | $25.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,338 | $28.05 |
Median Salary Position
7.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,542 (2026 est.). At $48,395, the local median is 7.53% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $48,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $46,803 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.53% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $48,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $46,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,395 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,893
2025 BLS Actual
$45,441
2026 Current Est.
$48,395
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,172 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,452 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,893 (2019) to $45,441 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,647 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $38,796 – $42,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,402 – $48,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,395 – $53,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,575 – $58,338 |
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 Bethlehem
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Bethlehem currently includes around 14 individuals, indicating a relatively focused employment landscape. The cost of living index stands at 97.4, slightly below the national average, allowing for a more favorable take-home pay for CNAs in the area. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, especially for roles requiring night shifts or weekends, which often include additional pay premiums ranging from $1 to $4 per hour. The variation in salary can also be attributed to different acuity levels of patients and the availability of agency positions during staffing shortages. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Bethlehem, focusing on weekend roles or securing additional certifications can be effective strategies. Understanding the nuances of local employer pay structures is essential to navigating the certified nursing assistant pay Bethlehem PA market effectively.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 $45,441 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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