How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 67,740 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,590 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Registered Professional Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Nursing Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of State - Nursing Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Pennsylvania is $44,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,760 and experienced professionals can earn $49,360 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of State - Nursing Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $44,590 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Nursing Board oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner | A registered nurse licensed in this Commonwealth who is certified by the boards in a particular clinical specialty area and who, while functioning in the expanded role as a professional nurse, perform… |
| Registered Professional Nurse | Diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling and provisions of care supportive to or restora… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | The performance of selected nursing acts in the care of the ill, injured or infirm under the direction of a licensed professional nurse, a licensed physician or a licensed dentist which do not require… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Practice of nursing home administration means the planning, organizing, directing and control of the operation of a nursing home. |
| Nurse-Midwife License | Empowers the licensee to practice midwifery in this Commonwealth. Management of the care of essentially normal women and their normal neonates - initial 28 day period. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 30,680 | $46,220 | $45,820 | $38,600 | $49,860 |
| Pittsburgh | 12,140 | $43,080 | $42,820 | $37,990 | $47,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 4,970 | $44,360 | $43,640 | $38,020 | $48,080 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 4,490 | $43,940 | $42,280 | $37,610 | $46,540 |
| Lancaster | 3,380 | $44,890 | $43,610 | $38,690 | $49,060 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 3,080 | $43,980 | $42,570 | $37,640 | $46,420 |
| York-Hanover | 1,890 | $44,530 | $43,740 | $38,440 | $47,600 |
| Reading | 1,830 | $45,530 | $44,220 | $38,560 | $51,680 |
| Erie | 1,800 | $39,430 | $41,030 | $37,240 | $45,320 |
| Altoona | 820 | $38,870 | $40,890 | $36,750 | $46,780 |
| Lebanon | 730 | $45,340 | $45,200 | $37,850 | $53,350 |
| Williamsport | 730 | $39,830 | $41,240 | $37,350 | $45,290 |
| Chambersburg | 540 | $45,260 | $46,320 | $37,970 | $53,680 |
| State College | 540 | $39,440 | $40,660 | $37,340 | $44,570 |
| Johnstown | 440 | $38,760 | $38,960 | $34,550 | $42,820 |
| Gettysburg | 370 | $42,520 | $42,460 | $37,900 | $48,300 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 30,680 | $46,220 |
| Pittsburgh | 12,140 | $43,080 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 4,970 | $44,360 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 4,490 | $43,940 |
| Lancaster | 3,380 | $44,890 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 67,740 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Nursing Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Pennsylvania is $44,590, which is $5,060 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Nursing Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |