Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cheyenne, WY: $37,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Cheyenne, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,179 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cheyenne's local price level (BEA RPP 96.5 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,531 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($49,331) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

In Cheyenne, WY, the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary reflects a starting pay structure that aligns with the financial realities of new graduates in the field. With a projected starting salary of $37,179, new CNAs will encounter a significant gap when compared to the median annual salary of $49,331 for the city. This initial pay rate may seem discouraging at first, but growth potential exists as entry-level workers transition into higher pay tiers within 3-5 years, reaching approximately $40,992 at the 25th percentile and potentially more as they gain experience. Given the current job market and the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals in Cheyenne, recent graduates can find promising opportunities despite a modest starting salary.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cheyenne
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 Cheyenne
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Cheyenne, WY typically start between $37,179 and $40,992 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,456 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $49,331 — 9.61% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wyoming of $1,500 represents just 4.03% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($37,179/year) in Cheyenne. 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 Cheyenne
- 1Research the Cheyenne market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $37,179 to $40,992, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cheyenne, 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 Cheyenne for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cheyenne's moderate 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 Cheyenne is $27,456 ( 73.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,179, experienced hygienists can earn up to $64,635.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,590
2025 BLS Actual
$34,910
2026 Current Est.
$37,179
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cheyenne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,596 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cheyenne, WY grew 31.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,590 in 2019 to $34,910 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,596. New graduates entering the Cheyenne job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne
Opportunities for new graduate certified nursing assistants in Cheyenne are diverse, particularly within skilled nursing facilities that commonly offer paid training programs specifically tailored for recent hires. Hospitals, while they typically prefer experienced candidates, may provide apprenticeship-style pathways for those willing to learn on the job. Home health agencies also represent a viable option for flexible-schedule candidates, meeting the needs of patients in their homes. To enhance earning potential, new CNAs should focus on obtaining state certification and additional credentials such as CPR/BLS training or optional medication aide certification, which can lead to higher starting pay. Moreover, the past few years have seen a notable increase in wages within nursing facilities due to high turnover rates in the industry, as many facilities have responded to staffing crises by raising wages dramatically. New CNAs should realistically expect incremental salary growth during their first few years in the field, often working towards bridging into LPN or RN roles, particularly as they accumulate experience and certifications unique to Wyoming’s requirements.
More salary data for Cheyenne, WY:
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 Cheyenne. 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