What to Pay a Certified Nursing Assistant in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
How to set your CNA pay range in Philadelphia
Three pay positions, modeled against current Philadelphia market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CNA salary percentile distribution in Philadelphia, PA
Where the Philadelphia market actually sits for CNA base pay.
Most Philadelphia employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($40,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $36,000 and a max of $46,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Pennsylvania pay transparency compliance for CNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CNA in Pennsylvania.
For a CNA role in Philadelphia, a compliant good-faith range looks like $36,000 to $46,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $36,000–$46,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top CNA employers in Philadelphia — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CNAs in the Philadelphia metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Medicine | Academic medical center system | $40K–$50K | Common ($2K–$4K) |
| Jefferson Health | Academic medical center system | $38K–$48K | Common ($2K–$4K) |
| Genesis Healthcare | SNF (PA-HQ) | $34K–$44K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
| ChristianaCare (DE) | Health system | $38K–$48K | Very common ($2K–$4K) |
| Brookdale Senior Living | SNF / assisted living | $32K–$42K | Very common ($2K–$4K) |
CNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Philadelphia
How hard is it to fill a CNA role in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia CNA market spans PA and NJ jurisdictions. Genesis Healthcare (PA-headquartered) and other SNF operators dominate volume; academic medical center support roles fill out the mix.
Skill premiums CNA candidates command in Philadelphia, PA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual Spanish | +3–5% | High |
| Dementia / memory care | +4–6% | Very high |
| Hospice / palliative | +4–6% | High |
| Restorative + lift cert | +3–5% | High |
CNA total compensation in Philadelphia — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CNAs in Philadelphia. "Prevalence" reflects share of Philadelphia disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Philadelphia Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $40,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +10–16% premium | ~80% |
| Sign-on bonus | $2,000–$4,500 | ~50% |
| Overtime opportunity | $4K–$9K annualized | ~90% |
| Tuition reimbursement (LPN bridge) | $2,000–$4,000/yr | ~36% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$48K–$58K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CNA pay by setting in Philadelphia — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CNA range splits by employer type in the Philadelphia metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNF / LTC | $36,000 | $32K–$42K | High |
| Hospital | $44,000 | $40K–$50K | Moderate |
| Home health | $40,000 | $36K–$46K | High |
| Assisted living | $36,000 | $32K–$42K | Moderate |
| Hospice | $42,000 | $38K–$48K | Moderate |
CNA salary in Philadelphia vs. other Pennsylvania and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Philadelphia | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $40,000 | — | Moderate |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $44,000 | +10.0% | Tight |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,000 | +15.0% | Above national avg |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $34,000 | −15.0% | Moderate |
| Pennsylvania statewide | $34,000 | −15.0% | — |
| U.S. national | $38,200 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Nursing Assistant in Philadelphia, PA
Related CNA pay benchmarks — Pennsylvania metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.