Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Harrisburg, PA: $46,796 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Harrisburg, PA earns a median $46,796/year (≈ $22.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Harrisburg's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.7), that paycheck buys what $47,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach a median of $46,796, reflecting the market's adjustment post-COVID. This represents a notable shift from previous years, with the salary range spanning from $40,055 to $49,565, as derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The local landscape shows a strong demand for nursing assistants, paralleling the national trend, where the median income stands at $45,007. With a projected growth rate of 6.50% annually, the Harrisburg market indicates a robust recovery from the pandemic's staffing challenges, positioning itself as an attractive option for individuals considering a career in patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,055 | $19.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,759 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,796 | $22.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,275 | $22.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,565 | $23.83 |
Median Salary Position
3.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisburg
In Harrisburg, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,510 (2026 est.). At $46,796, the local median is 3.97% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisburg: You'd be above the median
How Harrisburg Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Harrisburg median: $46,796/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $45,007 | +3.97% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $46,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.97% higher than the national median of $45,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisburg has a cost of living 1.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisburg, PA has a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $46,796 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,436 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.37% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,770
2025 BLS Actual
$43,940
2026 Current Est.
$46,796
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,796 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisburg metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 30.1% from $33,770 (2019) to $43,940 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,068 (47.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisburg 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) | $40,055 – $41,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,759 – $46,796 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,796 – $47,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,275 – $49,565 |
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 Harrisburg
The job market in Harrisburg, with approximately 4,490 certified nursing assistants employed, benefits from a relatively low cost-of-living index of 98.65. This index provides a favorable context for take-home wages, ensuring that CNAs can maintain a decent standard of living despite fluctuating salaries. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, driven by increased demand for care due to higher patient acuity levels. Variability in pay results in part from shift differentials, with night shifts often commanding an additional $2 to $4 per hour, while weekend work may provide $1 to $3 in premium pay. To maximize earnings in Harrisburg, CNAs should consider roles that offer these various premiums and explore pathways for advancement to LPN or RN positions, which can greatly enhance overall salary potential.
More salary data for Harrisburg, 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 $43,940 for certified nursing assistantsin the Harrisburg 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