CNA Salary

Duluth vs Ramsey: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$47,126
$22.65/hr
Ramsey, MN
$48,220
$23.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNRamsey, MN
Median Salary$47,126$48,220
Hourly Rate$22.65$23.19
Entry Level (P10)$38,532$38,489
25th Percentile$40,534$43,645
75th Percentile$50,630$54,358
Top Earner (P90)$51,929$59,129
Total Employed1,6107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($47,126) and Ramsey ($48,220) certified nursing assistant salaries.DuluthRamseyMedian Salary$47,126$48,220Entry Level (P10)$38,532$38,489Top Earner (P90)$51,929$59,129US Median $45,007

Verdict

Ramsey, MN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Ramsey is $1,094 (2.32%). Ramsey's median is +7.14% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $13,397,Ramsey spans $20,640. Ramsey has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$38,532
P25$40,534
Median$47,126
P75$50,630
P90 (Top)$51,929
Ramsey
P10 (Entry)$38,489
P25$43,645
Median$48,220
P75$54,358
P90 (Top)$59,129

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($53,089 effective) pays 8.45% more than Ramsey ($48,954 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $47,126
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $53,089
Ramsey
Nominal: $48,220
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $48,954

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,089)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Ramsey if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,220/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,129)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Duluth grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.8% growth in Ramsey over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+30.6%

$33,880 (2019) → $44,250 (2025)

Ramsey, MN

+17.8%

$38,421 (2024) → $45,277 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Duluth or Ramsey?

Ramsey has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,220/year, compared to Duluth at $47,126/year — a difference of $1,094 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Ramsey?

Duluth certified nursing assistants earn $22.65/hr while Ramsey hygienists earn $23.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Ramsey as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Ramsey. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $53,089, Ramsey = $48,954), job availability (1,610 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Duluth vs Ramsey?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,532 in Duluth and $38,489 in Ramsey. The Duluth 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