Nursing Assistant salary in Altoona, PA
Nursing Assistants in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $38,870 a year ($18.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 13% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $44,590. There are 14 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Median | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 75th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Average (mean) | $40,890 | $19.66 |
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 | $3,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,619.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,495 |
| Weekly | $747.50 |
| Hourly | $18.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| State College, PA | $39,440 | 540 |
| Erie, PA | $39,430 | 1,800 |
| 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 Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Orderly | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $60,310 | $29.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Altoona, 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 Altoona, PA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Altoona, PA metro area is $38,870 a year, or $18.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $46,780 a year. The top 25% earn $44,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,750 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,750 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Altoona, PA?
About 820 nursing assistants are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.