Nursing Assistant salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Nursing Assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $43,940 a year ($21.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,540 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $44,590. There are 13 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,280, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| 25th percentile | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Median | $43,940 | $21.12 |
| 75th percentile | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Average (mean) | $42,280 | $20.33 |
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 | $3,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,830.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,690 |
| Weekly | $845 |
| Hourly | $21.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,940 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Orderly | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Phlebotomist | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,360 | $21.33 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,250 | $17.91 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $43,940 a year, or $21.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $46,540 a year. The top 25% earn $44,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,610 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $39,210 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 4,490 nursing assistants are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.