Nursing Assistant salary in State College, PA
Nursing Assistants in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $39,440 a year ($18.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,570 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 12% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $44,590. There are 7.9 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Median | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| 75th percentile | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| Average (mean) | $40,660 | $19.55 |
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 | $3,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,643.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,516.92 |
| Weekly | $758.46 |
| Hourly | $18.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Massage Therapist | $82,490 | $39.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the State College, PA metro area is $39,440 a year, or $18.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $44,570 a year. The top 25% earn $44,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,340 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $38,600 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in State College, PA?
About 540 nursing assistants are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.