CNA Salary

Chanhassen vs St. Cloud: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Chanhassen, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chanhassen, MN
$48,550
$23.34/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$42,738
$20.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChanhassen, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$48,550$42,738
Hourly Rate$23.34$20.54
Entry Level (P10)$39,355$40,300
25th Percentile$42,471$40,481
75th Percentile$53,284$49,288
Top Earner (P90)$57,342$59,299
Total Employed41,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chanhassen ($48,550) and St. Cloud ($42,738) certified nursing assistant salaries.ChanhassenSt. CloudMedian Salary$48,550$42,738Entry Level (P10)$39,355$40,300Top Earner (P90)$57,342$59,299US Median $45,007

Verdict

Chanhassen and St. Cloud are closely matched on overall certified nursing assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chanhassen and St. Cloud is $5,812 (13.60%). Chanhassen's median is +7.87% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chanhassen spans $17,987,St. Cloud spans $18,999. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Chanhassen
P10 (Entry)$39,355
P25$42,471
Median$48,550
P75$53,284
P90 (Top)$57,342
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$40,300
P25$40,481
Median$42,738
P75$49,288
P90 (Top)$59,299

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chanhassen ($49,289 effective) pays 1.07% more than St. Cloud ($48,770 effective).

Chanhassen
Nominal: $48,550
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $49,289
St. Cloud
Nominal: $42,738
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $48,770

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chanhassen if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,550/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,289)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,299)
  • Larger job market (1,580 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Chanhassen grew 17.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Chanhassen, MN

+17.8%

$38,684 (2024) → $45,587 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+12.4%

$35,700 (2019) → $40,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Chanhassen or St. Cloud?

Chanhassen has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,550/year, compared to St. Cloud at $42,738/year — a difference of $5,812 (13.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chanhassen and St. Cloud?

Chanhassen certified nursing assistants earn $23.34/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $20.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chanhassen to St. Cloud as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chanhassen and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chanhassen = $49,289, St. Cloud = $48,770), job availability (4 vs 1,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Chanhassen vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,355 in Chanhassen and $40,300 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov