CNA Salary

Eau Claire vs Green Bay: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Eau Claire, WI and Green Bay, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eau Claire, WI
$45,955
$22.10/hr
Green Bay, WI
$46,274
$22.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEau Claire, WIGreen Bay, WI
Median Salary$45,955$46,274
Hourly Rate$22.10$22.25
Entry Level (P10)$39,352$40,076
25th Percentile$40,566$41,727
75th Percentile$48,862$49,288
Top Earner (P90)$53,814$50,332
Total Employed1,1001,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eau Claire ($45,955) and Green Bay ($46,274) certified nursing assistant salaries.Eau ClaireGreen BayMedian Salary$45,955$46,274Entry Level (P10)$39,352$40,076Top Earner (P90)$53,814$50,332US Median $45,007

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eau Claire.

The salary gap between Eau Claire and Green Bay is $319 (0.69%). Green Bay's median is +2.82% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eau Claire spans $14,462,Green Bay spans $10,256. Eau Claire has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eau Claire
P10 (Entry)$39,352
P25$40,566
Median$45,955
P75$48,862
P90 (Top)$53,814
Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$40,076
P25$41,727
Median$46,274
P75$49,288
P90 (Top)$50,332

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($49,711 effective) pays 0.38% more than Eau Claire ($49,523 effective).

Eau Claire
Nominal: $45,955
CoL Index: 92.796
Adjusted: $49,523
Green Bay
Nominal: $46,274
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $49,711

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eau Claire if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($53,814)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,274/year)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,711)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Eau Claire grew 51.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.6% growth in Green Bay over the same period.

Eau Claire, WI

+51.6%

$28,460 (2019) → $43,150 (2025)

Green Bay, WI

+41.6%

$30,690 (2019) → $43,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Eau Claire or Green Bay?

Green Bay has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $46,274/year, compared to Eau Claire at $45,955/year — a difference of $319 (0.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eau Claire and Green Bay?

Eau Claire certified nursing assistants earn $22.10/hr while Green Bay hygienists earn $22.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eau Claire to Green Bay as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eau Claire and Green Bay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eau Claire = $49,523, Green Bay = $49,711), job availability (1,100 vs 1,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Eau Claire vs Green Bay?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $39,352 in Eau Claire and $40,076 in Green Bay. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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