CNA Salary

Detroit vs Romulus: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Detroit, MI and Romulus, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$42,494
$20.43/hr
Romulus, MI
$38,804
$18.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$42,494$38,804
Hourly Rate$20.43$18.66
Entry Level (P10)$40,364$33,886
25th Percentile$41,162$35,521
75th Percentile$47,989$42,076
Top Earner (P90)$50,715$44,659
Total Employed17,3005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($42,494) and Romulus ($38,804) certified nursing assistant salaries.DetroitRomulusMedian Salary$42,494$38,804Entry Level (P10)$40,364$33,886Top Earner (P90)$50,715$44,659US Median $45,007

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romulus.

The salary gap between Detroit and Romulus is $3,690 (9.51%). Detroit's median is -5.58% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $10,351,Romulus spans $10,773. Romulus has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$40,364
P25$41,162
Median$42,494
P75$47,989
P90 (Top)$50,715
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$33,886
P25$35,521
Median$38,804
P75$42,076
P90 (Top)$44,659

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($42,368 effective) pays 1.76% more than Romulus ($41,635 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $42,494
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $42,368
Romulus
Nominal: $38,804
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $41,635

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,494/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,715)
  • Larger job market (17,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,368)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Romulus if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Detroit grew 27.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.3% growth in Romulus over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+27.8%

$31,230 (2019) → $39,900 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+14.3%

$31,890 (2024) → $36,436 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Detroit or Romulus?

Detroit has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,494/year, compared to Romulus at $38,804/year — a difference of $3,690 (9.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Romulus?

Detroit certified nursing assistants earn $20.43/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $18.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Romulus as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $42,368, Romulus = $41,635), job availability (17,300 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Detroit vs Romulus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,364 in Detroit and $33,886 in Romulus. The Detroit 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