CNA Salary

Madison vs Muskego: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Madison, WI and Muskego, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$48,202
$23.17/hr
Muskego, WI
$45,919
$22.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMuskego, WI
Median Salary$48,202$45,919
Hourly Rate$23.17$22.08
Entry Level (P10)$42,036$39,846
25th Percentile$42,845$42,107
75th Percentile$50,470$49,562
Top Earner (P90)$59,629$52,866
Total Employed3,4206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($48,202) and Muskego ($45,919) certified nursing assistant salaries.MadisonMuskegoMedian Salary$48,202$45,919Entry Level (P10)$42,036$39,846Top Earner (P90)$59,629$52,866US Median $45,007

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Muskego.

The salary gap between Madison and Muskego is $2,283 (4.97%). Madison's median is +7.10% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $17,593,Muskego spans $13,020. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$42,036
P25$42,845
Median$48,202
P75$50,470
P90 (Top)$59,629
Muskego
P10 (Entry)$39,846
P25$42,107
Median$45,919
P75$49,562
P90 (Top)$52,866

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($49,546 effective) pays 0.78% more than Muskego ($49,164 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $48,202
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $49,546
Muskego
Nominal: $45,919
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $49,164

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,202/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,629)
  • Larger job market (3,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,546)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Muskego if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Madison grew 33.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.6% growth in Muskego over the same period.

Madison, WI

+33.6%

$33,870 (2019) → $45,260 (2025)

Muskego, WI

+25.6%

$34,318 (2024) → $43,116 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Madison or Muskego?

Madison has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,202/year, compared to Muskego at $45,919/year — a difference of $2,283 (4.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Muskego?

Madison certified nursing assistants earn $23.17/hr while Muskego hygienists earn $22.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Muskego as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Muskego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $49,546, Muskego = $49,164), job availability (3,420 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Madison vs Muskego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,036 in Madison and $39,846 in Muskego. The Madison 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