Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $22.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Appleton, WI runs $22.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,669 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,603 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earn a median hourly rate of $22.92, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $21.64. This competitive wage means that part-time CNAs working three days a week, for example, can effectively manage a budget and lifestyle that aligns with the cost of living in the region, where indices are generally below national averages. With an hourly range from $19.07 for entry-level positions to up to $25.36 for top earners, there is substantial potential for growth in this profession. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for the year 2026, highlighting the importance of this career path in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care, where CNAs often navigate a varied work environment.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.07 | $152.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.95 | $159.58 |
| Median (P50) | $22.92 | $183.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.96 | $191.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.36 | $202.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $22.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.92/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $47,671 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,503. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $916.75 | $3,973 | $47,671 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.05 | $2,384 | $28,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.70 | $1,589 | $19,068 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Appleton) | $22.92 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $47,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,479.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.92/hr = $28,603/year (purchasing power: $30,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,671/year (purchasing power: $51,581).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Appleton grew 45.7% from $14.77/hr (2019) to $21.52/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.41/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
Looking into the part-time earning potential, a 24-hour workweek translates to approximately $29,170 annually for a certified nursing assistant in Appleton, while full-time CNAs can expect considerably higher annual figures. Agency CNAs, who often enjoy per diem certified nursing assistant pay in the range of $22 to $32 an hour, can benefit from the flexibility of their schedules, but it can come with trade-offs. Weekend-only contracts may command up to $30-$45 per hour in high-demand periods, while travel positions could yield $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, though these opportunities are rarer compared to nursing roles. With varying pay structures between employers—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living units—the choice between lower hourly rates with benefits or higher pay without them often complicates decision-making for CNAs. Practical negotiation strategies in Appleton might include leveraging the local staffing shortage to discuss rates or hours while considering the overall compensation package, ensuring that CNAs make informed choices about their work and financial future.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. 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