Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kalamazoo, MI: $42,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kalamazoo, MI earns a median $42,068/year (≈ $20.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kalamazoo's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.8), that paycheck buys what $44,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Kalamazoo, MI, is projected to be $42,068, reflecting a notable increase as the market readjusts post-COVID. This value, while slightly trailing the national median of $45,007 by approximately 6.53%, demonstrates a competitive salary range from $37,957 at the lower end (P10) to $54,773 at the upper end (P90). These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a stable demand for certified nursing assistants in the area. As the healthcare sector continues to evolve, Kalamazoo's job market appears robust, poised for growth driven by increasing healthcare needs and continuing turnover in the CNA workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,957 | $18.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,213 | $18.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,068 | $20.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,778 | $23.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,773 | $26.34 |
Median Salary Position
6.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalamazoo
In Kalamazoo, MI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,816 (2026 est.). At $42,068, the local median is 6.53% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kalamazoo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Kalamazoo Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kalamazoo median: $42,068/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalamazoo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $41,942 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.53% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalamazoo has a cost of living 5.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalamazoo, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,068 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,200
2025 BLS Actual
$39,500
2026 Current Est.
$42,068
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,802 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 26.6% from $31,200 (2019) to $39,500 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,802 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,602 (43.60%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,957 – $39,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,213 – $42,068 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,068 – $49,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,778 – $54,773 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Kalamazoo
The employment situation for certified nursing assistants in Kalamazoo is promising, with around 1,260 individuals actively working in this field. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 94.84, reflecting an affordability factor that can increase the effective purchasing power for CNAs. Employers in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies often offer the highest pay scales, especially for positions involving direct patient care on medical/surgical floors and intensive care units. Pay differentials can be influenced by shift timings—nights typically receive an extra $2-4 per hour, and weekends see an increase of $1-3 per hour. Strategies for enhancing earning potential include pursuing CMA certification stipends, seeking weekend-only roles, and capitalizing on staffing shortages that may lead to premium pay from agency work. Exploring these avenues can optimize certified nursing assistant pay in Kalamazoo, MI, while also providing pathways for career advancement into LPN or RN roles.
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,500 for certified nursing assistantsin the Kalamazoo metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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