Nursing Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Nursing Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,590 a year ($21.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 67,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 11 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,960, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Median | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| 75th percentile | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Average (mean) | $43,960 | $21.14 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,715.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,857.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,715 |
| Weekly | $857.50 |
| Hourly | $21.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $46,220 | 30,680 |
| Reading, PA | $45,530 | 1,830 |
| Lebanon, PA | $45,340 | 730 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $45,260 | 540 |
| Lancaster, PA | $44,890 | 3,380 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $44,530 | 1,890 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $44,360 | 4,970 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,980 | 3,080 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $43,940 | 4,490 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $43,080 | 12,140 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $42,520 | 370 |
| Williamsport, PA | $39,830 | 730 |
| State College, PA | $39,440 | 540 |
| Erie, PA | $39,430 | 1,800 |
| Altoona, PA | $38,870 | 820 |
| Johnstown, PA | $38,760 | 440 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Orderly | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,520 | $17.08 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Pennsylvania?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Pennsylvania is $44,590 a year, or $21.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $49,360 a year. The top 25% earn $46,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,760 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $39,270 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 67,740 nursing assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.