Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $22.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Duluth, MN runs $22.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,126 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,270 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Duluth, Minnesota, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $22.65 in 2026, representing an advantage over the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This competitive hourly wage makes part-time positions appealing, particularly for those working three days a week in various healthcare settings, from skilled nursing facilities to hospice environments. Entry-level certified nursing assistants in the area can expect to earn $18.52 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $24.96. BLS estimates based on 2025 data suggest that these figures will provide a solid foundation for prospective CNAs in Duluth looking to establish their careers in one of the more stable sectors of the local economy.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.52 | $148.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.49 | $155.92 |
| Median (P50) | $22.65 | $181.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.96 | $199.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $22.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.65/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $47,117 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,183. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $906.10 | $3,926 | $47,117 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.66 | $2,356 | $28,270 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.44 | $1,571 | $18,847 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Duluth) | $22.65 |
| 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 Duluth, MN earn a median of $47,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 4.70% below the Minnesota state average of $49,450.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.65/hr = $28,270/year (purchasing power: $31,847).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,117/year (purchasing power: $53,079).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Duluth grew 30.6% from $16.29/hr (2019) to $21.27/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.12/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
For a certified nursing assistant working part-time at 24 hours per week, the income can be significant, translating to a take-home of approximately $28,224 annually. While full-time positions may offer stability and potential benefits, such as health insurance, part-time roles allow for flexibility, especially valuable in this profession, as many CNAs consider bridging to LPN or RN roles. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Duluth can also be lucrative, with agency CNAs often earning anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour, with premium weekend contracts reaching between $30 and $45 in high-demand situations. The hourly rates can vary significantly depending on employer types, including skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, leading some certified nursing assistants to accept lower rates for improved benefits. Negotiation is crucial; understanding the local market and emphasizing skills can help increase pay rates without compromising job satisfaction.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 Duluth. 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