How Much Does a CNA Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Pennsylvania, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Pennsylvania earns about $21.44 per hour ($44,590 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 6% above the national rate of $20.32 per hour ($42,260 per year). Pennsylvania ranks 22nd among 51 states for CNA pay, and the state employs 67,740 CNAs, one of the larger workforces in the country for this role.
How much does a CNA make in Pennsylvania?
CNA pay by career stage in Pennsylvania
| Career stage | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,760$18.16 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $39,270$18.88 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $44,590$21.44 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $46,850$22.52 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $49,360$23.73 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Pennsylvania
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Pennsylvania · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Pennsylvania CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $28,000 a year; by 2025 that figure reached $44,590, a 59% increase worth $16,590. The national rise over the same period was slightly higher, at 64%. For someone starting out now, that decade of steady movement suggests pay has trended upward, though no specific increase is guaranteed going forward.
CNA salary by city in Pennsylvania
Pay varies across Pennsylvania's metro areas. Philadelphia leads the state, where CNAs typically earn $46,220 per year ($22.22 per hour), a figure that covers the full metro area. Reading and Lebanon follow close behind, both with typical pay above $45,000 a year. At the low end, Johnstown's typical pay is $38,760, a $7,460 gap between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas.
As in most states, pay tends to track local cost of living, with higher-cost metro areas generally paying more to match local expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Pennsylvania | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $46,220 | $22.22 | +4% | 30,680 |
| 2 | Reading | $45,530 | $21.89 | +2% | 1,830 |
| 3 | Lebanon | $45,340 | $21.80 | +2% | 730 |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $45,260 | $21.76 | +2% | 540 |
| 5 | Lancaster | $44,890 | $21.58 | +1% | 3,380 |
| 6 | York metro incl. Hanover | $44,530 | $21.41 | 0% | 1,890 |
| 7 | Allentown | $44,360 | $21.33 | -1% | 4,970 |
| 8 | Scranton | $43,980 | $21.14 | -1% | 3,080 |
| 9 | Harrisburg metro incl. Carlisle | $43,940 | $21.12 | -1% | 4,490 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $43,080 | $20.71 | -3% | 12,140 |
| 11 | Gettysburg | $42,520 | $20.44 | -5% | 370 |
| 12 | Williamsport | $39,830 | $19.15 | -11% | 730 |
| 13 | State College | $39,440 | $18.96 | -12% | 540 |
| 14 | Erie | $39,430 | $18.96 | -12% | 1,800 |
| 15 | Altoona | $38,870 | $18.69 | -13% | 820 |
| 16 | Johnstown | $38,760 | $18.64 | -13% | 440 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania typical pay $44,590
How Pennsylvania compares with nearby states
Among neighboring states, New York and New Jersey pay CNAs more than Pennsylvania, with typical pay running 9% and 5% higher. Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, and West Virginia all pay less, from 3% to 18% below Pennsylvania's figure. A CNA licensed in Pennsylvania can often test or transfer certification into a nearby state, so it helps to know how pay compares before crossing state lines.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | baseline |
| New York | $48,590 | +9% |
| New Jersey | $46,830 | +5% |
| Maryland | $43,240 | -3% |
| Delaware | $42,030 | -6% |
| Ohio | $39,010 | -13% |
| West Virginia | $36,720 | -18% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Pennsylvania a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Pennsylvania earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $44,590 a year, 6% above the national figure, ranking 22nd of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, about 11 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Taken together, Pennsylvania is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Pennsylvania's typical CNA pay now stands at $44,590 per year ($21.44 per hour), up 59% over the past decade. For certification requirements, the Pennsylvania CNA registry page covers the steps to get listed and stay in good standing. For pay specific to a city or metro area, the city-level pages break down local figures in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Pennsylvania?
- A typical CNA in Pennsylvania earns **$21.44 per hour**, or about **$44,590 per year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.16 per hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.73 per hour.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Pennsylvania?
- CNAs in Pennsylvania typically earn **$21.44 per hour**. Entry-level pay starts around $18.16 per hour, and experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.73 per hour, depending on location and experience.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Pennsylvania?
- Starting pay for a CNA in Pennsylvania typically runs around **$18.16 per hour** (about $37,760 per year), the entry-level range for newly certified CNAs. As experience builds, pay rises toward the state's typical rate of $21.44 per hour.
- Which city in Pennsylvania pays CNAs the most?
- **Philadelphia** pays CNAs the most in Pennsylvania, with typical pay of **$46,220 per year** ($22.22 per hour) across the metro area. Reading and Lebanon follow close behind, both with typical pay above $45,000 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Pennsylvania higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Pennsylvania's typical CNA pay of **$21.44 per hour** ($44,590 per year) runs about 6% above the national figure of $20.32 per hour ($42,260 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).