Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $23.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Bismarck, ND runs $23.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,757 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,852 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bismarck, certified nursing assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $23.92, which is significantly above the national hourly median of $21.64. This attractive pay scale offers part-time workers, such as those putting in three shifts a week, a solid earning potential while providing care in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health care, and assisted living communities. For entry-level positions, the hourly wage typically starts around $18.46, while experienced CNAs can make up to $25.16 per hour, reflecting their skill level and the demand within the local healthcare market. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights the competitive nature of certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Bismarck, ND.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.46 | $147.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.13 | $153.02 |
| Median (P50) | $23.92 | $191.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.68 | $197.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.16 | $201.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $23.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.92/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $49,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,704. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $956.80 | $4,146 | $49,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.08 | $2,488 | $29,852 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.72 | $1,658 | $19,901 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Bismarck) | $23.92 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $49,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.55% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 20.20% above the North Dakota state average of $41,395.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.92/hr = $29,852/year (purchasing power: $32,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,753/year (purchasing power: $54,660).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Bismarck grew 34.1% from $16.75/hr (2019) to $22.46/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.47/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
For part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours weekly, annual earnings could amount to approximately $29,942, which highlights a significant difference compared to full-time workers. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Bismarck varies widely depending on the employer; those contracted through agencies can generally earn between $22 and $32 per hour, particularly if they are filling shifts during high-demand times such as weekends. Furthermore, specialized contracts for travel or weekend work can command rates of $30 to $45 per hour in shortage markets. Variability also exists across the healthcare sector: skilled nursing facilities typically offer lower wages than hospitals, but they may provide benefits that are appealing to CNAs. When negotiating hourly rates, it’s crucial for applicants to emphasize their skills and any specialized training they may have received, as this can enhance their marketability in Bismarck's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 Bismarck. 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