Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $40,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Oshkosh, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,864 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oshkosh's local price level (BEA RPP 92.9 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,973 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($47,488) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oshkosh, new graduates entering the certified nursing assistant (CNA) profession can expect a starting salary of about $40,864 in 2026. While this amount may seem low compared to the overall median salary of $47,488 for CNAs in the area, it reflects a common trajectory for many first-time job seekers. Typically, entry-level salaries increase gradually, with new CNAs likely to earn around $42,142 as they gain experience. Given the ongoing growth in demand within the healthcare sector, combined with a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, Oshkosh remains a favorable market for recent graduates, offering opportunities for salary advancement as they transition from entry-level to more experienced roles over the initial three to five years of their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oshkosh
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Oshkosh, WI typically start between $40,864 and $42,142 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $10,767 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $47,488 — 5.51% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $1,800 represents just 4.40% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($40,864/year) in Oshkosh. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Oshkosh
- 1Research the Oshkosh market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $40,864 to $42,142, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Oshkosh, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Oshkosh for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oshkosh's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Oshkosh is $10,767 ( 26.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,864, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,631.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,470
2025 BLS Actual
$38,370
2026 Current Est.
$40,864
2019–2027 Growth
+64.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,520 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Oshkosh, WI grew 45.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,470 in 2019 to $38,370 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,520. New graduates entering the Oshkosh job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Oshkosh
In 2026, several employers in Oshkosh actively seek to hire certified nursing assistants, particularly skilled nursing facilities that often provide paid training programs for new entrants. There are also opportunities within hospital systems, though these institutions generally prefer to hire experienced CNAs; however, they may also offer apprenticeship pipelines to ease entry for those just starting their careers. Home health agencies are another viable employer, especially for candidates who can accommodate flexible schedules. For those looking to boost their starting certified nursing assistant pay in Wisconsin, completing state certification, obtaining CPR/BLS credentials, or pursuing additional training, such as medication aide certification or dementia care education, may enhance job prospects. As turnover within the CNA workforce continues to be affected by the post-COVID staffing crisis, new graduates can reasonably expect their salaries to rise significantly during their first few years as they gain on-the-job experience, particularly if they consider bridging into licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) programs after their initial training.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Oshkosh. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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