Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $19.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $19.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,496 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, the average certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $19.63 in 2026, which falls short compared to the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This discrepancy highlights the regional wage dynamics and suggests that certified nursing assistants may be earning less than their counterparts in other parts of the country. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate can translate to about $30,000 annually, making per diem opportunities attractive. Certified nursing assistants in Grand Rapids can expect to see hourly wages ranging from $18.70 at the lower end to $23.16 for the top earners. These wage figures come from BLS data, reflecting the realities of working in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health services.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.70 | $149.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.36 | $154.89 |
| Median (P50) | $19.63 | $157.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.41 | $179.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.16 | $185.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $19.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.63/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $40,826 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,554. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $785.12 | $3,402 | $40,826 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.07 | $2,041 | $24,496 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.05 | $1,361 | $16,330 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Grand Rapids) | $19.63 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $40,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.70% below the Michigan state average of $41,965.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.63/hr = $24,496/year (purchasing power: $25,638).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,826/year (purchasing power: $42,729).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Grand Rapids grew 31.9% from $13.97/hr (2019) to $18.43/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.90/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Grand Rapids
Part-time certified nursing assistants in Grand Rapids have the potential to make a reasonable income while balancing other commitments. For those working around 24 hours a week, taking home pay per year can be quite different from those who seek full-time hours. In the realm of per diem certified nursing assistant pay, practitioners often find that agency jobs pay between $22 and $32 an hour, with weekend-only contracts offering premiums that can reach $30 to $45 an hour. Different types of employers, such as hospitals compared to private home health agencies, can also impact earnings, as some may offer health benefits at lower hourly rates while others provide higher pay with fewer benefits. For those looking to negotiate their pay, it’s wise to consider the variety of employer types available in Grand Rapids and to understand the trade-offs associated with hourly pay versus job benefits.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Grand Rapids in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Grand Rapids. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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