Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Kalamazoo, MI: $20.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Kalamazoo, MI runs $20.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Kalamazoo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.8, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,240 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Kalamazoo, MI, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $20.22 in 2026, which reflects a small gap compared to the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate allows part-time workers, typically clocking in for three days a week, to earn a consistent income while balancing their personal and professional lives. For those seeking flexibility, per diem certified nursing assistants can find work in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice environments. The hourly pay ranges from $18.24 at the entry level to $26.34 for top earners, giving newcomers and seasoned professionals alike opportunities suited to their experience and scheduling needs. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.24 | $145.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.85 | $150.80 |
| Median (P50) | $20.22 | $161.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.93 | $191.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.34 | $210.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalamazoo
Based on $20.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.22/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalamazoo, MI can expect to earn approximately $42,067 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,269. With a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalamazoo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalamazoo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $808.97 | $3,506 | $42,067 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $485.38 | $2,103 | $25,240 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $323.59 | $1,402 | $16,827 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Kalamazoo) | $20.22 |
| 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 Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $42,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.53% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% above the Michigan state average of $41,942.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.22/hr = $25,240/year (purchasing power: $26,613).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,067/year (purchasing power: $44,355).
CoL index: 94.84 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Kalamazoo grew 26.6% from $15.00/hr (2019) to $18.99/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.54/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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo
Exploring the financial realities of part-time certified nursing assistants reveals that working three days a week could yield an annual income of approximately $31,030, while full-time counterparts would realize higher earnings. The landscape for per diem or agency CNAs in Kalamazoo shows that many are capitalizing on more lucrative arrangements, with agency pay rates frequently billed between $22 and $32 per hour. Additionally, weekend-only premium contracts can reach up to $45 per hour in competitive markets, offering a tempting incentive for those willing to adapt their schedules. In Kalamazoo, the hourly rates are influenced by employer type; hospitals may pay more than assisted living centers, while some CNAs might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits. Contracting experts advise skilled workers to consider the trade-offs when negotiating their hourly rate, especially in an environment that remains sensitive to staffing shortages.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, MI:
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
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 Kalamazoo. 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