Nursing Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nursing Assistants in Pennsylvania, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$44,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $42,260
State Rank
#22 of 51
67,740 employed here

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Pennsylvania?

A Nursing Assistant working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $44,590 per year, or about $21.44 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $42,260 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $37,760 while the top 10% make $49,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,270 and $46,850 a year.

Nursing Assistant salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,760$18.15
25th percentile (early career)$39,270$18.88
50th percentile (median)$44,590$21.44
75th percentile (experienced)$46,850$22.52
90th percentile (top earners)$49,360$23.73

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$49,830
2Washington$49,180
3New York$48,590
4New Hampshire$47,870
5District of Columbia$47,700

Working as a Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania

Nationally, about 1,449,000 people work as Nursing Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Pennsylvania pay ($44,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Pennsylvania?
The median Nursing Assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $44,590 per year, or about $21.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,760 at the entry level to $49,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Nursing Assistants about 6% more than the national median of $42,260. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Nursing Assistants?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,590 a year. About 67,740 Nursing Assistants are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nursing Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.