Nursing assistant (CNA) pay in Chicago, IL
Nursing assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a typical $46,940 a year. The middle half earn $42,940 to $49,060, and the top 10% earn more than $54,450. About 45,850 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Nursing Assistants, SOC 31-1131).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $38,980 |
| 25th percentile | $42,940 |
| Median (typical) | $46,940 |
| 75th percentile | $49,060 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $54,450 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 12 of 50 large metros for nursing assistants before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $46,940, a single filer keeps about $37,700 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Illinois state income tax. Prices in Chicago are 4% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $36,400 would in a typical US city. That ranks Chicago No. 12 of 50 large metros for nursing assistants after cost of living.
Where nursing assistants’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$56,840 typical · worth $42k
- San Francisco, CA$56,080 typical · worth $39.6k
- Seattle, WA$51,990 typical · worth $39.6k
- Milwaukee, WI$45,690 typical · worth $38.9k
All 50 metros for nursing assistants →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a nursing assistant (cna) make in Chicago, IL?
The typical (median) nursing assistant (cna) in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earns $46,940 a year. The middle half earn between $42,940 and $49,060, and the top 10% earn more than $54,450. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a nursing assistant (cna) in Chicago?
Anything above $46,940 pays more than half of nursing assistants in Chicago. $49,060 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $54,450 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a nursing assistant (cna) in Chicago take home after taxes?
At the typical $46,940, a single filer keeps about $37,700 a year ($3,140 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, Illinois state income tax. With local prices 4% above the US average, that buys what $36,400 would in a typical US city.
Where do nursing assistants get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical nursing assistant (cna) pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA. Chicago, IL ranks No. 12.
More: Nursing assistant (CNA) pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Chicago, IL
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.