Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Chester, PA: $45,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Chester, PA earns a median $45,240/year (≈ $21.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Chester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $46,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in 2026 stands at $45,240, slightly above the national median of $45,007. Certified nursing assistants in this area can expect salaries to range from $39,209 at the entry level (P10) to as much as $52,027 for the most experienced (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living variances, reflecting Chester's unique market conditions. The move from a CNA to licensed practical nurse (LPN) can significantly enhance salary potential, making this a crucial pathway for many looking to advance their careers in patient care.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,209 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,450 | $19.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,796 | $23.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,027 | $25.02 |
Median Salary Position
0.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chester
In Chester, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,818 (2026 est.). At $45,240, the local median is 0.52% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chester Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Chester median: $45,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $46,832 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +0.52% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Chester, PA earn a median of $45,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.52% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $46,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chester 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.
Chester, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,814
2025 BLS Actual
$42,479
2026 Current Est.
$45,240
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,814 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,945 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,765 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,479 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chester metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,814 (2019) to $42,479 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,367 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chester 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) | $39,209 – $41,450 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,450 – $45,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,240 – $48,796 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,796 – $52,027 |
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 Chester
In Chester, the job market currently employs only five certified nursing assistants, which may reflect both the size of the community and ongoing staffing needs in healthcare. The cost of living index in the area is 97.4, suggesting that although salaries are competitive, they must stretch further than in markets with a higher cost of living. Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies frequently offer the highest pay, especially if they are navigating staffing shortages, which can trigger agency premium pay. Influential factors on pay variability include shift differentials—where night shifts can yield an extra $2-4 per hour and weekend shifts may add $1-3, alongside opportunities for those with CMA certifications or in advanced roles. For CNAs keen on maximizing their earnings in Chester, developing skills in specialty areas and targeting roles that offer premium pay rates can be valuable strategies in this tightening labor market.
More salary data for Chester, 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 $42,479 for certified nursing assistantsin the Chester 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 Chester 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