CNA Salary

Farmington Hills vs Grand Rapids: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Farmington Hills, MI and Grand Rapids, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Farmington Hills, MI
$42,022
$20.20/hr
Grand Rapids, MI
$40,832
$19.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFarmington Hills, MIGrand Rapids, MI
Median Salary$42,022$40,832
Hourly Rate$20.20$19.63
Entry Level (P10)$32,826$38,904
25th Percentile$36,173$40,268
75th Percentile$46,794$46,594
Top Earner (P90)$53,781$48,170
Total Employed205,870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Farmington Hills ($42,022) and Grand Rapids ($40,832) certified nursing assistant salaries.Farmington HillsGrand RapidsMedian Salary$42,022$40,832Entry Level (P10)$32,826$38,904Top Earner (P90)$53,781$48,170US Median $45,007

Verdict

Farmington Hills, MI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Grand Rapids.

The salary gap between Farmington Hills and Grand Rapids is $1,190 (2.91%). Farmington Hills's median is -6.63% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington Hills spans $20,955,Grand Rapids spans $9,266. Farmington Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Farmington Hills
P10 (Entry)$32,826
P25$36,173
Median$42,022
P75$46,794
P90 (Top)$53,781
Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$38,904
P25$40,268
Median$40,832
P75$46,594
P90 (Top)$48,170

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington Hills ($45,088 effective) pays 5.50% more than Grand Rapids ($42,735 effective).

Farmington Hills
Nominal: $42,022
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $45,088
Grand Rapids
Nominal: $40,832
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $42,735

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Farmington Hills if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,022/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,781)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,088)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Larger job market (5,870 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Farmington Hills grew 14.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.9% growth in Grand Rapids over the same period.

Farmington Hills, MI

+14.3%

$34,534 (2024) → $39,457 (2025)

Grand Rapids, MI

+31.9%

$29,060 (2019) → $38,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Farmington Hills or Grand Rapids?

Farmington Hills has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,022/year, compared to Grand Rapids at $40,832/year — a difference of $1,190 (2.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Farmington Hills and Grand Rapids?

Farmington Hills certified nursing assistants earn $20.20/hr while Grand Rapids hygienists earn $19.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Farmington Hills to Grand Rapids as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Farmington Hills and Grand Rapids. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Farmington Hills = $45,088, Grand Rapids = $42,735), job availability (20 vs 5,870 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Farmington Hills vs Grand Rapids?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,826 in Farmington Hills and $38,904 in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids 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