How Much Does a CNA Make in State College, PA in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in State College, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Pennsylvania.
BLS OES May 2025 · State College metro area
A typical CNA in State College, Pennsylvania earns $18.96 per hour, or $39,440 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,287 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,340, and the top 10% of earners make over $44,570.
That pay is 12% below the Pennsylvania figure of $44,590 and 7% below the national figure of $42,260. State College ranks 13th of 16 metro areas in Pennsylvania for CNA pay. About 540 CNAs work in the State College area.
CNA pay in State College at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.96 an hour, or $39,440 a year.
- That is 12% below the Pennsylvania figure, ranking 13th of 16 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,340; the top 10% make over $44,570.
- Typical pay rose +45% from 2015 to 2025, against +59% for Pennsylvania as a whole.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a CNA make in State College?
Pay in State College runs from entry-level positions at around $17.95 an hour to more than $21.43 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Pennsylvania and national figures.
CNA pay by career stage in State College
| Career stage | State College | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,340$17.95 an hour | $37,760$18.16 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,600$18.56 an hour | $39,270$18.88 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,440$18.96 an hour | $44,590$21.44 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,050$21.18 an hour | $46,850$22.52 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $44,570$21.43 an hour | $49,360$23.73 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the State College area as BLS defines it
CNA pay growth in State College
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in the State College area · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, typical CNA pay in State College was $27,240 a year. By 2025 it had reached $39,440, a change of +45%, compared with +59% for Pennsylvania over the same years.
How State College compares with other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia pays CNAs the most in Pennsylvania at $46,220 a year, $6,780 more than State College. The lowest-paying area in the state is Johnstown at $38,760.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs State College | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $46,220 | $22.22 | +17% | 30,680 |
| 2 | Reading | $45,530 | $21.89 | +15% | 1,830 |
| 3 | Lebanon | $45,340 | $21.80 | +15% | 730 |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $45,260 | $21.76 | +15% | 540 |
| 5 | Lancaster | $44,890 | $21.58 | +14% | 3,380 |
| 6 | Hanover metro incl. York | $44,530 | $21.41 | +13% | 1,890 |
| 7 | Allentown | $44,360 | $21.33 | +12% | 4,970 |
| 8 | Wilkes | $43,980 | $21.14 | +12% | 3,080 |
| 9 | Carlisle metro incl. Harrisburg | $43,940 | $21.12 | +11% | 4,490 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $43,080 | $20.71 | +9% | 12,140 |
| 11 | Gettysburg | $42,520 | $20.44 | +8% | 370 |
| 12 | Williamsport | $39,830 | $19.15 | +1% | 730 |
| 13 | State College | $39,440 | $18.96 | this city | 540 |
| 14 | Erie | $39,430 | $18.96 | 0% | 1,800 |
| 15 | Altoona | $38,870 | $18.69 | -1% | 820 |
| 16 | Johnstown | $38,760 | $18.64 | -2% | 440 |
Every metro area in Pennsylvania with CNA wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania typical pay $44,590
Is State College a good place to work as a CNA?
CNAs in State College earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $39,440 a year, 7% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the State College area, about 7.8 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.2. That makes CNAs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in State College, PA?
- A typical CNA in State College earns $39,440 a year, or $18.96 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,340 and the top 10% earn over $44,570.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in State College?
- Typical hourly pay for CNAs in State College is $18.96. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $17.95, and the top 10% earn over $21.43 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in State College?
- Entry-level CNA positions in State College typically offer around $17.95 an hour, or $37,340 a year.
- Is CNA pay in State College higher than in the rest of Pennsylvania?
- State College pay is 12% below the Pennsylvania figure of $44,590 a year, ranking 13th of 16 metro areas in the state. Philadelphia pays the most in Pennsylvania at $46,220.