Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $45,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $45,880/year (≈ $22.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $48,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Pittsburgh is projected to reach a median annual figure of $45,880, positioning it slightly above the national median of $45,007. This renewed compensation reflects an essential post-COVID wage reset, with a salary range that spans from $40,459 at the tenth percentile to $50,715 at the ninetieth percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With the demand for healthcare workers surging, particularly in long-term care facilities, it's evident that the current market conditions are shaping a more favorable wage floor for certified nursing assistants, an essential component of the healthcare workforce in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,459 | $19.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,322 | $19.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,884 | $23.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,715 | $24.38 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,256 (2026 est.). At $45,880, the local median is 1.94% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be above the median
How Pittsburgh Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $45,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $46,817 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +1.94% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $45,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $46,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,850
2025 BLS Actual
$43,080
2026 Current Est.
$45,880
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 39.6% from $30,850 (2019) to $43,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,012 (58.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $40,459 – $41,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,322 – $45,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,880 – $48,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,884 – $50,715 |
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 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh offers a robust job market for certified nursing assistants, with approximately 12,140 professionals currently employed in the field. The cost of living index in the area is relatively low at 94.671, allowing for greater purchasing power despite the rising wages. Among local employers, facilities such as skilled nursing homes and hospitals, particularly those with medical/surgical and ICU units, tend to offer the highest pay. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $2 to $4 for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends, as well as agency premium pay during staffing shortages, significantly influence the disparity in wages. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing certification as a medication aide or exploring weekend-only roles can be advantageous strategies in this competitive landscape. The pathway from CNA to LPN or RN also remains a viable option for career progression, especially as the demand for higher-skilled healthcare workers continues to rise in Pittsburgh, PA.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 $43,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Pittsburgh 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