CNA Salary

Menomonee Falls vs Milwaukee: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Menomonee Falls, WI
$46,799
$22.50/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$48,660
$23.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMenomonee Falls, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$46,799$48,660
Hourly Rate$22.50$23.40
Entry Level (P10)$38,029$41,375
25th Percentile$41,154$44,655
75th Percentile$51,570$51,109
Top Earner (P90)$53,959$52,355
Total Employed107,880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Menomonee Falls ($46,799) and Milwaukee ($48,660) certified nursing assistant salaries.Menomonee FallsMilwaukeeMedian Salary$46,799$48,660Entry Level (P10)$38,029$41,375Top Earner (P90)$53,959$52,355US Median $45,007

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Menomonee Falls.

The salary gap between Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee is $1,861 (3.98%). Milwaukee's median is +8.12% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Menomonee Falls spans $15,930,Milwaukee spans $10,980. Menomonee Falls has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Menomonee Falls
P10 (Entry)$38,029
P25$41,154
Median$46,799
P75$51,570
P90 (Top)$53,959
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$41,375
P25$44,655
Median$48,660
P75$51,109
P90 (Top)$52,355

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($50,198 effective) pays 0.18% more than Menomonee Falls ($50,106 effective).

Menomonee Falls
Nominal: $46,799
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $50,106
Milwaukee
Nominal: $48,660
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $50,198

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Menomonee Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($53,959)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,660/year)
  • Larger job market (7,880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,198)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Menomonee Falls grew 25.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.4% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Menomonee Falls, WI

+25.6%

$34,977 (2024) → $43,943 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+48.4%

$30,790 (2019) → $45,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Menomonee Falls or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,660/year, compared to Menomonee Falls at $46,799/year — a difference of $1,861 (3.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee?

Menomonee Falls certified nursing assistants earn $22.50/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $23.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Menomonee Falls to Milwaukee as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Menomonee Falls = $50,106, Milwaukee = $50,198), job availability (10 vs 7,880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Menomonee Falls vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,029 in Menomonee Falls and $41,375 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.
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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