Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Paul, MN: $24.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in St. Paul, MN runs $24.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,628 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against St. Paul's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,370 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Paul, MN, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly rate of $24.34, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This competitive pay reflects the demand for skilled CNAs in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. For part-time workers, often serving three days a week, this could equate to approximately $1,148.16 a week before taxes or over $4,593 a month. Entry-level positions in this field start around $19.16 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $32.54 per hour, providing a broad range of hourly earnings for those in this profession. The hourly pay for CNAs is derived from annual salary estimates, indicating a robust wage structure for certified nursing assistants within the local economy.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.16 | $153.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.26 | $170.06 |
| Median (P50) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.13 | $217.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.54 | $260.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Paul
Based on $24.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.34/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Paul, MN can expect to earn approximately $50,617 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,202. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Paul.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Paul
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $973.41 | $4,218 | $50,617 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $584.05 | $2,531 | $30,370 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $389.36 | $1,687 | $20,247 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (St. Paul) | $24.34 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN earn a median of $50,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.49% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% above the Minnesota state average of $49,441.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.34/hr = $30,370/year (purchasing power: $30,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,617/year (purchasing power: $51,388).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in St. Paul grew 42.5% from $16.04/hr (2019) to $22.85/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.92/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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul
The earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants can vary markedly. An individual working three 8-hour shifts weekly would take home around $49,156 annually, which can be an attractive option compared to full-time roles. Many agencies offer per diem certified nursing assistant pay in St. Paul ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, with additional opportunities for weekend-only contracts that provide premiums from $30 to $45 per hour in high-demand areas. Moreover, travel positions, although less common, can yield substantial weekly pay between $1,000 and $1,800. Different employer types translate to varying wages; for instance, hospitals and rehabilitation centers often pay more than standard nursing homes. Many CNAs weigh the benefits of consistent employment with health insurance against potentially higher hourly wages without benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing your experience, willingness to work weekends, and available shifts can significantly enhance job offers.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 St. Paul. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Paul is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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